Final answer:
Parents may not perceive external abuse due to factors like financial stress and trust in the community. Teenage parents face higher stress, increasing abuse risk, while substance abuse elevates risks of child neglect and abuse. Child abuse reporting often comes from professionals and might not always be confirmed by victims.
Step-by-step explanation:
Parents may not perceive that their children could be abused outside the home for several reasons. A common misconception is that child abuse can only occur within certain demographics, however, it happens across all socioeconomic, education levels, and ethnic and cultural lines. Factors such as financial stress, social isolation, and a lack of understanding of the potential signs of abuse can contribute to a parent's lack of perception. Additionally, parents may have trust in their community, believe that they are always present with their children, or think their children can defend themselves, which could also leave them less vigilant about the potential for external abuse.
Young parents particularly teenage mothers may be more prone to abusive behaviors due to a lack of experience and elevated stress. Moreover, children raised in environments with substance abuse have higher risks of experiencing abuse and neglect. It should also be noted that many cases of child abuse are reported by professionals like teachers and law enforcement personnel, and sometimes, even when abuse is reported, it might not be confirmed by victims due to various reasons including fear or shame.