NCJ Number
135808
Date Published
1990
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Adolescent involvement in family violence has largely been overlooked by the public, researchers, and members of the social service and public policy communities.
Abstract
Discussions of child abuse rarely extend beyond the youngest victims, and teenagers are frequently thought of as causing their own victimization. Although very young children are frequent targets of physical abuse, preteens and teenagers experience a wide range of violent treatments by their parents. A national survey sponsored by the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect found that 47 percent of recognized victims of maltreatment were between 12 and 17 years of age. Survey data from a nationally representative study of family violence revealed that 54 percent of preteen and early teenage children were struck by a parent and that 33 percent of teenagers aged 15 to 17 years were struck by a parent during a 1-year period. Very young children under 5 years of age and teenagers were the most likely to experience violence that held a high chance of inflicting physical injury. Research findings on the relation between sex and age of adolescents and the likelihood of violence and abuse are not consistent. It is pointed out that adolescents are both victims of violent attacks and offenders. The U.S. Department of Justice estimated in 1980 that, of 1.2 million incidents of violence between relatives, 47,000 involved child violence against parents. The majority of children who attack a parent are between 13 and 24 years of age, although studies report children as young as 10 years inflicting injury on their parents. Researchers agree that sons are slightly more likely to be violent and abusive than daughters. The use of violence by teenage parents is discussed along with the effects of family violence on adolescents. Policy steps to treat and prevent family violence are offered. 37 references and 1 table