Child abuse and its consequences

• Published in: The Organizational Response to Social Problems Vol. 8; pp. 363 - 393
• Main Author: Larson, Calvin J.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Emerald Group Publishing Limited 2001
• ISBN: 0762307161; 9780762307166
• ISSN: 0196-1152
• DOI: 10.1016/S0196-1152(01)80017-X

This chapter focuses on child abuse in the United States, how it is defined and measured, and its behavioral and social consequences. Throughout, the discussion is guided by concern with the organizations involved in confronting child abuse, from identifying its diverse forms and documenting their prevalence to policy formation and programmatic response. Major topics examined include the cycle of violence thesis, prevention and treatment, and problems and issues related to conceptual ambiguity (in particular, the absence of a generally accepted operational definition of child abuse) such as theoretical fragmentation and important knowledge gaps. Chief among the conclusions is the absence of the organizational unity and financial support necessary to facilitate the acquisition of the knowledge prerequisite to developing informed social policy and devising effective action programs.