Autobiographical Book “a Child Called It”

Dave was viciously trampled and famished by his biological mother who is psychologically unsound and always intoxicated (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

He is treated by his mother as a slave, instead of a young boy or instead of a son (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

Referred to by his mother as an “it”, he is made to sleep in the basement where it is extremely cold (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

In addition to that, the clothes he wears were torn and dirty (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

He was also usually not given permission to eat; in case his mother feels like feeding him, he will be provided with “scraps which came from the dog’s bowl” (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

His condition was noticed by some of the school authorities and later police came over to help end his dilemma (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

Social Work Theme

“A Child Called It’s” social work theme is centered generally on “problems on living” specifically “child abuse” (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

He usually goes hungry when he goes to school; he isn’t provided with breakfast and the same thing happens at home (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

Dave is allowed to eat so seldom that he usually feels weak working or going to school with an empty stomach (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

The main character is smacked in the face whenever he forgets what his mother asks him to find (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 31 – 32).

He usually is not provided with food; it is fortunate if there would be “leftovers from one of his brothers’ cereal bowls” and if he has behaved enough for such a reward since usually those would be given to the dog (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 4).

When he is caught stealing from the garbage can, he will be slapped; any form of punishment is given to him as long as it is exceedingly agonizing (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 4).

He is made to accomplish multiple chores at home as well instead of allowing him to play outside with his brother who enjoys the sun so much (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

His mother was so mad at Dave that she always threatens to kill him (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 83 – 84).

There was a time when Dave was stabbed on the chest by his mother (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 83 – 84).

However, his mother did not acknowledge that just like what she did when she broke his shoulders (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 83 – 84).

Principles in Human Service

With “Dave Pelzer’s” case, I believe that the principle applicable in human service delivery would be “case management” (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

This is because in a “case management”, it is possible to carry out a “face-to-face comprehensive assessment” (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

A “face-to-face comprehensive assessment” is appropriate for “Dave Pelzer” since he is not really willing to tell the whole story especially if his mother will eventually be held accountable and sent to jail (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

Through a one-on-one with the social worker, his strengths and weaknesses will be analyzed by the social worker which will help the latter come up with an “individualized service plan” in consideration of what the client acknowledges as “main concerns, desired result, as well as, interventions to be utilized (Pelzer, 1995, pp. 1 – 169).

References

1. Pelzer, Dave (1995). A Child Called It: One Child’s Courage to Survive