The issue of child abuse is highly prominent in The Glass Castle. Or rather, neglect. There is no possible way to argue the legitimacy of child abuse/neglect. How can any empathetic human being possibly think beating their child to death is an option in the sense of child rearing? Some do, scary enough.
Anyway. The biggest issue between pro-con child abuse is discipline. Where is the line? In The Glass Castle, Jeannette receives a whipping from her father for talking back to him, and disrespecting her mother. However, she makes valid points in her arguement. If they want to parent, why don't they? Obviously this retort catches Rex off guard. Where is his authority when he needs it? He asserts the intangible by abusing his daughter. There. That shows her!
Whipping out of anger, just as Rex did, to be abusive. Even the greatest Super Nanny could dispense the same wisdom: if you're angry at your crazy child, take a deep breath. Step back, count to ten. Then explain the child's error, and spank away. But reacting out of anger is dangerous. It could result in your own child's death; as well as your own imprisonment. Where is the line between discipline and abuse? There are no rules or structure at the Walls’ home, and the children are suffering because of it.
In the same spectrum, there is a distinct role reversal in the Walls household: the children are the parents, and the parents are the children. The children go to school and work for a better future. The parents cling on to hopeless dreams and drown money in luxuries they can’t afford. This is neglect—the parents are not working for the children’s needs. Even basic needs, such as food and a warm shelter. This is not adventure, as Rose Mary likes to say. This is abuse. When Rose Mary attempts to parent, her threats for punishment aren't taken seriously. There is no authority in the household because of the parents trying to befriend the kids. This sends a mixed message to Jeannette. Is Dad a friend or a a parent?
Then there is the scene where Erma sexually abuses Brian. She claims to be fixing an inseam, but somehow she misplaces the two meanings. Lori stands up to their creepy grandmother, and the three children are punished by having to isolate themselves in the basement. No food, no bathroom, no running water, no heat. This is the definition of neglect. Yet, they are able to fend for themselves. The children are forced to grow up at such a young age. Abandon childhood fantasies for this sort of sick reality. They are used to harsh language and physical scandals, such as neighborhood fights. What happened to innocence?
Lastly, there is the visit from the child welfare man. Jeannette turns him away. She is aware that change is needed in the household, but she will not readily admit her dismal condition. It is a proven fact that those who experience and suffer neglect are less likely to change habits for the better. This is because abuse is all they know - change is scary. But you would think a life of abuse and neglect is even more scary. Somehow, in the minds of those who suffer, it isn't.
1 comment:
Madcrazycool, you did an excellent job highlighting the effects and repercussions of child abuse. Of these, the most important and disturbing is probably the cycle of the habit.
As you said, abused children are quite likely to fall into the same style of child-rearing as their parents, as can clearly be seen in The Glass Castle. Rex Walls was raised by a sexually and probably physical abusive mother. Consequently, he probably grew up with a rather low opinion of himself which could also be named as a major cause of his drinking habits. Then, when Rex goes to raise his own children, he does it the only way he knew how, via brute force. And its effects clearly take their toll on the family as a whole.
This cycle occurs quite often in the real world, and can have catastrophic effects on the lives of children and the development of future families. It really is quite a sickening and saddening truth to our reality.
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