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Caretakers as Abusers
Bellevue University

Abstract
This paper will discuss caregivers who charged with caring for those who are unable to look after themselves. We will consider the sociocultural explanations, social learning, and intra-individual theories associated with this type of abuse. Since most abusers are caretakers who have been entrusted with the tending to of those who are unable to care for themselves, we will examine possible causes that lead them to their cruel behavior. We will also address how the maltreatment of helpless victims falls into two classifications, abuse and neglect, and they both can be physical and/or emotional in nature. These theories will be compared and contrasted as we investigate the characteristics of caretakers involved in the abuse and neglect of children, the elderly, and folks with special needs.

Comparing and Contrasting Caretaker Theories
Most perpetrators who abuse children, the elderly, and special needs individuals are caretakers who have been entrusted with the tending to of those who are unable to care for themselves. Many are usually either family members or someone well known to the victim (Daigle, 2013). The maltreatment of the helpless falls into two classifications, abuse and neglect, and they both can be physical and/or emotional in nature (Malley-Morrison & Hines, 2004). The three theories in regards to maltreatment that we will be discussing here fall into three common categories and they are: a) Sociocultural explanations b) Social learning c) Intra-individual theory.
These theories will be compared and contrasted as we explore the characteristics of caretakers involved in the abuse and neglect of children, the elderly, and folks with special needs.
Social Learning Theory According to social learning theory, abusive conduct is a learned behavior usually perpetrated by

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