Author Description

This Book Is A Collective Effort To Increase The Understanding Of Forces And Conditions In Our Society Which Violate The Development Of Children And The Free Unfolding Of Human Potential. The Maltreatment Of Children Has Come To Be Considered A Social Problem Of Significant Scope. Yet In Spite Of Professional Efforts, Clarity Continues To Elude Us Concerning The Sources And Dynamics Of These Destructive Phenomena, And Concerning Effective Approaches Toward Their Reduction And Prevention. This Volume Reviews Some Persistent Obstacles Which Tend To Cause Serious Gaps In Our Comprehension Of Social Problems, And In Our Ability To Design, Adopt, And Implement Effective Policies And Programs Toward Their Elimination. -- From Introduction. I. Theoretical Perspectives -- Unraveling Child Abuse / Daivd G. Gill -- Child Maltreatment And The Federal Role / Charles P. Gershenson -- Controlling Child Abuse In America: An Effort Doomed To Failure / Edward Zigler -- Child Abuse As Psychopathology: A Sociological Critique And Reformulation / Richard J. Gelles -- Deprivation Of Physical Affection As A Primary Process In The Development Of Physical Violence: A Comparative And Cross-cultural Perspective / James W. Prescott -- Slaughter Of The Innocents / David Bakan -- The Social Construction Of Child Abuse / Richard J. Gelles -- Public Knowledge, Attitudes, And Opinions About Physical Child Abuse In The United States / David G. Gil And John H. Noble -- Ii. Manifestations Of Child Abuse -- Violence Against Children / David G. Gil -- Life In A Children's Detention Center: Strategies Of Survival / Susan M. Fisher -- They Beat Children, Don't They? / Carole Duncan -- Disciplinary Practices In Dallas Contrasted With School Systems With Rules Against Violence Against Children / Robert Hagebak -- Professional Abuse Of Children: Responsibility For The Delivery Of Services / Justine Wise Polier -- Reality And Research In The Ecology Of Human Development / Urie Bronfenbrenner -- Do Ameri