Significance of Ethnic and Cultural Differences in Child Maltreatment (From Violence in the Black Family, P 21-38, 1987, Robert L Hampton, ed. -- See NCJ-108575)

• NCJ Number: 108577
• Author(s): J Garbarino; A Ebata
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Lexington Books
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted from the Journal of Marriage and the Family (November 1983), P 773-783.

Annotation

The limited amount of research available on the relationship between ethnic and cultural factors and child abuse and neglect points to the need for a cross-cultural and sociobiological approach in studying this issue.

Abstract

It is also important to separate social class from cultural differences, although this is difficult to do when ethnic groups occupy socioeconomically marginal positions in society and when the major institutions of society experience inadequate participation and integration of the poor. Nevertheless, the available research indicates that all ethnic groups share some common definitions of what constitutes maltreatment, although with differences in emphasis. It also indicates that (1) maltreatment is greater among the low-income population than in the affluent population and (2) low-income whites have higher rates of child maltreatment than low-income blacks. Other research notes that a cultural group's values, practices, and institutions for dealing with material stress are the most important factors influencing child maltreatment. Other studies note that rapid technological change, social change, and urbanization can substantially increase rates of child maltreatment. Data from the United States, China, Taiwan, Japan, and from Samoans in Hawaii show the role of changing conditions in the etiology of child maltreatment. Data about specific cultures also suggest the need for interventions that reflect cultural patterns of interaction and relationships. 69 references.