NCJ Number
108575
Editor(s)
R L Hampton
Date Published
1987
Length
274 pages
Annotation
These 14 papers examine the prevalence, correlates, and consequences of violence in black families and present recommendations for research on both societal forces affecting blacks and relationships among family members.
Abstract
Papers on child abuse and neglect consider its role as a symptom of other problems, the significance of ethnic and cultural differences in child maltreatment, the role of harsh discipline in black families, and child sexual abuse. Discussions of spouse abuse in black families present an Afrocentrist analysis of spouse abuse, describe characteristics of clients of 30 shelters for battered women in Virginia, and outline an outreach program designed to make rural black women aware of shelter services. Homicide among blacks is considered in terms of its links with family violence and issues related to black women who commit homicide. Additional papers focus on (1) how the historical devaluation of black life and the view of violence as normal among blacks create ideological barriers to preventing family violence among blacks and (2) give an overview of research issues relating to the causes of social deviance and violence among black populations. Methods by which middle-aged black Americans respond to stress and the use of a life-cycle analysis to analyze domestic violence among blacks are also discussed. Data tables, chapter notes and reference lists, subject index, author index, and contributor biographies.