NCJ Number
207511
Journal
Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice: An Interdisciplinary Journal Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: October 2004 Pages: 374-394
Date Published
October 2004
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study examined the characteristics of adjudicated juveniles charged with domestic battery or violence against their parents.
Abstract
Much of the research and policy discussion on domestic violence over the past decade has focused on spousal violence or child abuse. Limited data have been analyzed concerning juveniles who are violent toward their parents. Existing survey research indicates that 10 percent of all juveniles hit their parents, creating long-term deleterious outcomes for the family. The current study collected data on 83 youth adjudicated in McLean County, IL for parental battery. Data from juvenile justice files included demographic information, victim/offender relationship, criminal history, alcohol and drug use, gang involvement, current offense, family background variables, and school-related problems. Results of statistical analyses revealed the typical parent batterer to be White males between the ages of 15 and 16 years, who are the oldest child, have mental/emotional problems, and live mainly with their mothers in urban environments. However, analysis of severity of violence indicated that females and males committed similar levels of physical violence. Other contributors to violence against parents included conflict between parents, criminality of parents, and parental alcohol and drug use. Future research should examine self-reports from parents and juveniles from various geographic locations, various ethnicities/races, and various social/economic backgrounds regarding child-to-parent violence. Tables, appendix, references