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The David Pelzer "A Child Called It" Family War aftermath of book
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<blockquote data-quote="SuZir" data-source="post: 654822" data-attributes="member: 14557"><p>SWOT: I of course do not know what happened to Pelzer and what not. And I do well know some kids get abused awfully. In fact countless children are killed by their parents. However some things Pelzer describes, if they really happened as he describes them, should had left him dead or at least severely health impaired especially without proper medical care. According to the book he was for example made to inhale that toxic gasses that they were used as biological weapon in wars before and killed thousands of soldiers. And he was made to sit in bathroom inhaling the fumes and he didn't end up with severe lung and breathing issues. Nor did he died for stabbing to stomach/heart even though he didn't receive medical care for it.</p><p></p><p>He was a young child when all this happened. Young children's memory works rather unique ways. Even if that is how he does remember it, what happened may have been slightly different.</p><p></p><p>I also find it rather peculiar how his case is stated to be third worst child abuse case in California. Who does this kind if ranking and on what grounds? Is there special government office that familiarises themselves with every child abuse case in California (and it is a big place, I bet they have tens if not hundreds child abuse cases a year that end up with a death of a child) and then ranks them as a worst, second worst, 33th worst and so on and after that compares them to all the cases in history? Somehow I doubt that and whole third worst case in California sounds more like a marketing statement than anything else.</p><p></p><p>I also have to say that while reading the book I did relate it to my own experiences of physical abuse as a child (nothing so grave as what he describes though I still needed medical attention because of it) and it felt odd how emotionally removed Pelzer seemed. He catalogues horrible incident after horrible incident by detail, but never much describes the feelings; fear, hope, making 'deals' with powers that be and all the ambivalence of those I can remember so clearly and also read in many survivor's stories. For me physical abuse was shorter period of time in hands of one of my step parents, so I got lucky and escaped when my mom got enough. I also understand that emotional distancing from actual happenings is not uncommon symptom in severe trauma disorders but if I remember correctly Pelzer at least says he isn't suffering such. Of course the book was also apparently heavily edited by his editor/wife so that could explain that too.</p><p></p><p>Severe abuse happens, and happens way too often. Still while reading emotional stories it is wise to keep some critical thinking there too. Not every abuse etc. allegation is true, not at least the way and time the victim describes them. And that doesn't even mean it would be a lie. It can be how the victim feels or remembers it even if it isn't an absolute truth. </p><p></p><p>I too believe that Pelzer was likely abused some way. But it may not be exactly how he wrote in the book.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="SuZir, post: 654822, member: 14557"] SWOT: I of course do not know what happened to Pelzer and what not. And I do well know some kids get abused awfully. In fact countless children are killed by their parents. However some things Pelzer describes, if they really happened as he describes them, should had left him dead or at least severely health impaired especially without proper medical care. According to the book he was for example made to inhale that toxic gasses that they were used as biological weapon in wars before and killed thousands of soldiers. And he was made to sit in bathroom inhaling the fumes and he didn't end up with severe lung and breathing issues. Nor did he died for stabbing to stomach/heart even though he didn't receive medical care for it. He was a young child when all this happened. Young children's memory works rather unique ways. Even if that is how he does remember it, what happened may have been slightly different. I also find it rather peculiar how his case is stated to be third worst child abuse case in California. Who does this kind if ranking and on what grounds? Is there special government office that familiarises themselves with every child abuse case in California (and it is a big place, I bet they have tens if not hundreds child abuse cases a year that end up with a death of a child) and then ranks them as a worst, second worst, 33th worst and so on and after that compares them to all the cases in history? Somehow I doubt that and whole third worst case in California sounds more like a marketing statement than anything else. I also have to say that while reading the book I did relate it to my own experiences of physical abuse as a child (nothing so grave as what he describes though I still needed medical attention because of it) and it felt odd how emotionally removed Pelzer seemed. He catalogues horrible incident after horrible incident by detail, but never much describes the feelings; fear, hope, making 'deals' with powers that be and all the ambivalence of those I can remember so clearly and also read in many survivor's stories. For me physical abuse was shorter period of time in hands of one of my step parents, so I got lucky and escaped when my mom got enough. I also understand that emotional distancing from actual happenings is not uncommon symptom in severe trauma disorders but if I remember correctly Pelzer at least says he isn't suffering such. Of course the book was also apparently heavily edited by his editor/wife so that could explain that too. Severe abuse happens, and happens way too often. Still while reading emotional stories it is wise to keep some critical thinking there too. Not every abuse etc. allegation is true, not at least the way and time the victim describes them. And that doesn't even mean it would be a lie. It can be how the victim feels or remembers it even if it isn't an absolute truth. I too believe that Pelzer was likely abused some way. But it may not be exactly how he wrote in the book. [/QUOTE]
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The David Pelzer "A Child Called It" Family War aftermath of book
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