The Significance of Ethnic and Cultural Differences in Child Maltreatment

Abstract

This paper explores the meaning and significance of cultural and ethnic influences on the incidence and forms of child maltreatment. Taking a cross-cultural and sociobiological perspective, the paper addresses three issues. First, are there differences in the incidence and form of child maltreatment that are not accounted for by social class? Second, what is the role of social change in producing cultureand ethnicity-related differences in child maltreatment? Third, how can research and intervention efforts respond to cultural and ethnic factors by counteracting group vulnerabilities and capitalizing on group strengths?