A child Called It by Dave Pelzer Essay -- essays research papers

One Childs Courage to Survive A Child Called It AbstractThis is one of the best, yet saddest books that I stomach ever read. there are so many self-aggrandising things out there that are happening to trusty people. We just have no idea. You never know what is going on behind closed doors. I am so lucky not to have experienced anything like this growing up. There is so much reality in this book, but I never knew that reality was ever this awful. It brought me to a realization that I have never cognise before. It is extremely sad that something like this really did happen to such a sweet little boy. Summary     A Child Called It is a story ground on a real life little boys tribulations with his induces shocking abuse. The first part of Daves life was idyllic in his memory--he says his family was "the Brady Bunch"--a pleasing mother and father with whom he enjoyed wonderful holidays and a happy trip to the Russian River. Everyone on the outside though t that Davids family was perfect. No one in their neighborhood would have suspected anything was wrong. All that changed when Dave was in first grade. For no known reason, his mother singled him out from his siblings and began abusing him. The abuse began relatively mildly. When he and his brothers did something wrong, Dave was the one to set about punishment--at first simply banishment to the corner of a bedroom. Then, his mother began spending her days watching TV and drinking beer. Easily irritated, she yelled at Dave for the slightest reason, or sometimes for no reason at all. Soon, instead of making him go down to the basement, Mrs. Pelzer smashed Daves face against the mirror, then made him repeat, over and over, "Im a bad boy Im a bad boy" He was forced to stand for hours staring into that mirror. Daves father soon joined The Mother, as David called her, in her drinking. He, too, knew David was a "good boy." He did not join in the abuse, but he did not to sto p it, either. David was treated like a slave in his own home. His mother treated him as if he wasnt even a member of the family like a nobody or an It. She first referred to him as, The Boy, then it quickly changed to It. goose egg at his school liked him, they called him "Pelzer Smelzer" because his mom never washed his clothes and made him wear the same thing every day. After school, o... ...er of the Year. In 1993 Dave was prestigious as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA), joining a distinguished group of alumni that includes Chuck Yeager, Christopher Reeve, Anne Bancroft, John F. Kennedy, Orson Wells and Walt Disney. (Dave Pelzer Biography 2002, Para. 2)In 1994 Dave was the plainly American to be selected as one of The Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP), for his efforts including child abuse awareness and prevention, as well as for instilling resilience in others. During the Centennial Olympic games, Dave was a torchbearer, carrying the cove ted flame (Dave Pelzer Biography 2002, Para. 2)ReferencesAmerican Psychological Association. (2001) Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed). Washington, DC McLaughlin & ReinkingA Child Called It. (1995). Health Communications, INC. Deerfield Beach, FL Dave PelzerThe World of Psychology. (2002). A Pearson Education Company. Boston, MA Samuel Wood & Ellen Green Wood p. 593Dave Pelzer Biography. (1997-2002) Book Browse LLC, Davina Morgan-Witts, CEO. San Jose, CA. (para.2). Retrieved 04/29/02 from http//www.bookbrowse.com/index.cfm/author/authorID/145.htm