Public Attitudes and Behaviors With Respect to Child Abuse Prevention

Abstract

This article examines public attitudes toward specific parental discipline practices, the incidence of specific parental practices, the public's support for and involvement in child abuse prevention efforts, and the public's perceptions of the causes of child maltreatment. Data were collected from a nationally representative sample of 1,250 adults each year between 1987 and 1992. The majority of the public view physical punishment and repeated yelling and swearing at children as harmful. Slightly more than half (53%) of the parents report spanking or hitting their children. Less than half of the parents surveyed reported yelling or swearing at their children in the last year. The rates of reported yelling and swearing declined between 1988 and 1990 but rose slightly in the past 2 years. The rate of spanking or hitting has declined since 1989, whereas the rate of hitting or trying to hit with objects has remained stable. The public has a strong commitment to preventing child abuse. Although the belief that individuals can do a great deal to prevent abuse declined between 1989 and 1991, it rose in 1992. Public involvement in actions to prevent abuse remains high. The public sees domestic violence as the major cause of elevated rates of child abuse.