NCJ Number
135613
Date Published
1991
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Five telephone surveys conducted each year from 1987 to 1991 gathered information on public attitudes and actions with respect to child abuse prevention.
Abstract
Each survey reached 1,250 randomly selected adults across the country. Findings revealed that the vast majority of the public viewed physical punishment and repeated yelling and swearing as detrimental to a child's well-being. In the most recent survey, 56 percent of the parents interviewed reported never insulting or swearing at their children in the past year as a means of discipline, and 48 percent reported never spanking their children in the past year. In addition, results showed a steady decline in the belief that both parents and the public have the abilities to prevent child abuse, although an increase was observed in the proportion of parents reporting that they took personal action to prevent child abuse. Spouse abuse, poverty, violence in the media, and racism were regarded as the main contributors to child abuse. Findings indicated the need to increase attention to these and other social phenomena in planning prevention programs and policies as well as the need for diversified prevention messages and specialized efforts. Some individuals will respond to public service announcements and impersonal interventions, but others need personal and extended contact to influence their behaviors. Tables