Child abuse has a devastating effect on the victims of the crime. The abuser may be parents, a teacher, a co-worker, a neighbor or a total stranger. The law provides for criminal prosecution of the abuser since 1960s. However, before this time period, children have no protection from getting abuse, and it even seems the right for men to do so. Leaving Home is a good example of how not to treat the children. Inside the play, there are two particular examples illustrating what not to treat the children: the relationship between Jacob and Ben and the relationship between Minnie and Kathy.
One of the good examples in the play is the relationship between Jacob and Ben. First, this relationship illustrates verbal abuse of Ben by Jacob and its effect on Ben. During the play, Jacob always attacks Ben verbally. Once Jacob is home, he doesn’t let Ben to get his suit, which has left in the truck. Even though Ben tries to be a good boy Jacob still puts him down. After Ben has come back in the house from outside, Jacob starts to look for a fight with him for the reason of not inviting to his graduation the night before. Then, Jacob starts the argue by trying to make his son, Ben, drinks alcohol with him and showing how much more he is a man than Ben, and insults Ben when he turns away from Jacob. Finally, Ben can’t stand it anymore and starts to fight back for himself. “The same shit over and over, and it never stops.” (French 30) However, the more he says for himself, the more he is into his dad’s trap. While Ben is defending for himself, Jacob either says how tough he is and how Ben is a mother’s boy, or emphasizes how much tougher Jacob is than his own son. “Dad, you don’t want me to be a man, you just want to impress me with how much less of a man I am than you. (French 30) It is because Jacob’s altitude towards Ben is such offensive, it forces Ben to leave home only not to fight with Jacob anymore. “I need to…you know that. Either Dad goes, or I do.” (French 22)
The Term Paper on Parent-child Relationships In Shakespeare's 'The Merchant Of Venice"
In ‘The Merchant of Venice’, there are three parent-child relationships; Shylock and Jessica, Portia and her deceased father, and Launcelot and Old Gobbo. There is an obvious contrast between these relationships. Although Portia’s father is deceased, they had a good relationship while he was alive. However, the relationship between Shylock and Jessica is repressive and ...
Jacob’s and Ben’s relationship also illustrates how not to control your temper with your children. Once the fight between Jacob and Ben starts, it never ends. Ben is always looking for ways to stop such as ignoring the fight or walking away, but it never works. It is because Jacob never knows how to control himself of understanding when to stop, he just keeps on going and going and never leaves a space for Ben to breathe. Even Mary knows Jacob goes too far and tries hard to stop him for a couple of times, but of course, it just makes the fight worse. Near the end of the play, Jacob throws back the present from his son to Ben, tears Ben’s diploma, and whips Ben using a belt. After Jacob has done all of them, the hurt causes to Ben is too much, Jacob has gone way too far. “You shouldn’t have done that, Dad. You shouldn’t.” (French 104)
Finally, it is obvious that your child’s happiness is more important than money from the relationship between Minnie and Kathy. Once Minnie is told that her daughter wants to cancel the marriage because of her miscarriage, she strongly disagrees. “You knows what’ll happen if you backs out now? I’ll be made a laughing stock. Is that what you wants, you little bitch?” (French 76) Minnie calls her own daughter a “bitch”, this is already too much, but moreover, she only thinks of herself. She doesn’t care about the miscarriage of her daughter, but only the risk of being a laughing stock. “Well, maybe they can afford to put it off, but I sure as hell can’t. The invitations are out…the cake’s bought, and the dress…the flowers arranged for…the photographer…the priest and organist hired…the church and -banquet hall rented…the food –“ (French 75) The worst out of it is shown from this line, Minnie only thinks money is more important than her own daughter, and that’s why they are having such an unpleasant relationship.
The Essay on The Fifth Child Ben Children Harriet
In "The Fifth Child," the Lovett family was so happy, and everything was perfect. All of that changed when the fifth child was conceived. Even before Ben was born, he was already a problem to the family. He was already considered abnormal. When Harriet was pregnant with Ben, she was going through tremendous pains. Even though she experienced some discomfort with her other pregnancies, this was ...
From the above examples in the play, it is clearly that not to treat your children this way. From Jacob and Ben’s relationship, it can be noticed that verbal abuse and Jacob’s bad temper cause Ben’s departure from home. Thus, it can be recognized that never ignores child’s happiness from Minnie and Kathy’s relationship. The setting of the play was mid of 1900s, and even at that time period the children defend themselves. In this new era, I think it is wise that not to yell at children with no sense. Knowing how to control the temper is also another method to prevent from having a bad relationship with your children. Also, children needs love and care, child’s happiness is always the most important!