There are many problems plaguing families nowadays. These problems can affect anyone from a newborn to a 90-year-old great-grandmother. Some problems can cause physical pain and leave the victim bloody and bruised, such as abuse, while others cause mental anguish and financial hardship, such as teenage pregnancy. Many of these problems remain hidden, even with all the help usually available, due to embarrassment or fear of hurting a loved one. Although many solutions have been proposed, none have been effective enough to eliminate the problem. Abuse is a problem that an estimated 1.57 million Americans over the age of 60 face each year. Only 227,000 reports were received nationwide in 1991, compared to 140,000 in 1988 (McGrath, 1994). Elder abuse is a crime that many people think they would never commit. The fact is that anyone can be a criminal. Elder abuse occurs many times when a responsible, even loving, relative becomes overwhelmed by financial and emotional burdens and loses control (Collins & Frantz, 1994). The physical aspect of abuse usually emerges when the caretaker has a problem of his own, such as alcohol or psychological difficulties. There have been reports of children and relatives chaining, beating, starving, raping, punching, slapping, and, in a variety of other ways, physically abusing their elders (Larue, 1989). Physical abuse is not the only type that occurs. There is also psychological abuse. Many elderly people are left alone for hours and even days. Neglect ranges from not turning a bedridden person to prevent sores to abandonment. Many homebound seniors are too ashamed or too afraid to come forward. “It's a very awkward session... middle of paper... the others. Child Behavior and Development, 10, 39-48 Larue, Gerald A. (July/August 1989) “Geroethics: A Humanist Issue” Humanist, 5+Mcgee, E. (1982) Too Little, Too Late: Services for Teenage Parents. New York: Ford Foundation McGrath, Mary (January 2, 1994) “Physical Abuse, Neglect Come of Age” The Record, A1+Scattergood, Sara Park (January 1990) “Curbing Teenage Pregnancy: A Novel Approach” USA Today (Magazine ), 87-88Teti, D. and Lamb, M. (1989) Socioeconomic and marital outcomes of adolescent marriage, childbirth at age adolescence and their concomitance. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 51, 203-212Trussell, J. (1988) Teenage pregnancy in the United States. Family Planning Perspectives, 20, 262-273Zelnick, M. and Kim, Y. (1982) Sex education and its association with adolescent sexual activity, pregnancy, and contraceptive use. Perspectives on family planning, 14, 117-126