Below: Pat Benatar
This is what I call a “social-awareness” song. It was written in 1980 by the American rock singer Pat Benatar, along with guitarist Neil Giraldo and bass player Roger Capps. The song is about child abuse and it was a hit on album-rock radio stations.
Pat Benatar began writing “Hell is for Children” after reading several newspaper articles on terrible child abuse. She wanted to write about the issue and raise social awareness.
It always helps when celebrities become involved in some way regarding the plight of people: to speak out, sing out and/or appear on TV, social media, live concerts etc., and find a way to reach an audience. For example, actor Sean Penn remains active in Haiti, and U2 singer Bono and his wife are involved in various causes connected to the suffering of people in war-torn regions, along with Bob Geldof. Political activism creates change, and these celebrities are a few of many who have seen governmental response to their work.
Regarding child abuse, many celebrities are involved in STOMP Out Bullying, a US anti-bullying and cyberbullying program for kids and teens. Well known people such as Julianne Moore, Katy Perry, Elton John, Jon Bon Jovi, Celine Dion and many more, are involved with this organization.
Below are the lyrics for Pat Benatar's song, as well as a link to a live performance of her singing it: Hell is for Children. The words are effective in creating some understanding of one kind of abuse: that of parents towards their helpless children.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm4grNE9QVg
They cry in the dark, so you can't see their tears
They hide in the light, so you can't see their fears
Forgive and forget, all the while
Love and pain become one and the same
In the eyes of a wounded child
Because hell
Hell is for children
And you know that their little lives can become such a mess
Hell
Hell is for children
And you shouldn't have to pay for your love with your bones and your flesh
Its all so confusing, this brutal abusing
They blacken your eyes, and then 'pologize
You're daddy's good girl, and don't tell mommy a thing
Be a good little boy, and you'll get a new toy
Tell grandma you fell off the swing
Because hell
Hell is for children
And you know that their little lives can become such a mess
Hell
Hell is for children
And you shouldn't have to pay for your love with your bones and your flesh
No, hell is for children