Child Abuse: A Global View (A World View of Social Issues) [Hardcover]

Beth M. Schwartz-Kenney (Editor), Michelle McCauley (Editor), Michelle A. Epstein (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313307458 | ISBN-13: 978-0313307454 | Publication Date: October 30, 2000

Although child abuse and neglect is a tragic social problem affecting the lives of many individuals worldwide, the way it is defined, prevented and treated differs from country to country. This unique international survey allows readers to identify the differences and similarities that exist among a variety of cultures when it comes to defining and preventing the problem. Scholars in the field have provided qualitative and quantitative data on the many issues surrounding this universal problem in 16 different countries chosen to represent all regions of the world. Each chapter addresses one country and explores the ways in which it approaches the problem, including: the history of child abuse, how child abuse is defined, the prevalence of abuse, child protection and legal actions taken when abuse is suspected, remedial services available for families and abused children, legal innovations available for child witnesses/victims of abuse, legislative reforms, legal ramifications for offenders, and preventative measures. Readers can choose one or more of these aspects and compare how each differs from country to country. These cross-cultural comparisons can help readers identify how each country's historical perspective and definition of child abuse and neglect determines how each society identifies, prevents and treats the issue, why the problem persists, and what might be done to prevent it worldwide.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This academic survey of child abuse policies is an excellent compendium of cultural and statistical information regarding what is considered child abuse in many parts of the world. Child advocates ranging from medical doctors to researchers contributed each of the 16 chapters, which are arranged alphabetically by country name. These chapters describe evenhandedly the situation that confronts children and those who try to help them. It is startling to read, for instance, that only a short time ago caning a child was not considered unusual in Asia. As the globe shrinks, this book nobly aims to facilitate the belief that understanding and respecting all people is important. Though Child Abuse is extensively documented, it would have been better if the informative country profiles that open each chapter had been reproduced as a comparison chart in an appendix. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.DMargaret Cardwell, DeKalb Technical Coll., Clarkston, GA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“...an excellent compendium of cultural and statistical information regarding what is considered child abuse in many parts of the world.”–Library Journal

“Students doing research across cultures and nations will aprreciate the volume because its structure lends itself to cross comparison”–Blanche Woolls & David Loertscher (GaleGroup.com)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (October 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313307458
• ISBN-13: 978-0313307454
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,751,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)