Child Abuse, Gender, and Cycle of Violence

Abstract

Every year in the United States, there are 2.9 million reported child abuse cases. Unfortunately for researchers, this number is often inaccurate due to the amount of underreporting due to fearful children and unsupportive parents. In addition, some reported cases are unsubstantiated suspicion. Child welfare advocates argue that suspected causes for child abuse are low education levels, low socioeconomic status, a parent involved in the child welfare system, and becoming involved with intimate partner violence. Both the gender of the perpetrator and victim are suspected of playing an important role in outcomes for child victims. However, this may not be the entire story. This study suggests that the cycle of violence viewed by sociologists and social workers may be more complex than simply modeling behavior or feeling gendered trauma. The reciprocation of violence also may depend on the type of abuse experienced by the victim.