TY - JOUR PY - 2004// TI - Perceptions of child maltreatment by parents from the Indian subcontinent: Challenging myths about culturally based abusive parenting practices JO - Child maltreatment A1 - Maiter, Sarah A1 - Alaggia, Ramona A1 - Trocme, Nico SP - 309 EP - 324 VL - 9 IS - 3 N2 - Clinicians and researchers emphasize the importance of recognizing differential cross-cultural definitions of child maltreatment, cautioning awareness that some ethnic groups may use harsher methods to discipline their children. Using a mixed-method research approach, based on questionnaire and focus group data, 29 parents of South Asian descent provided input on their attitudes toward child discipline, maltreatment, and neglect. Study findings suggest that South Asian parents do not differ significantly from other populations in their judgment of appropriate parenting approaches; that is, persistent and excessive use of physical discipline was considered to be inappropriate, behaviors of parents that may have negative emotional consequences for children were recognized as inappropriate, and lack of proper supervision of children was seen as a concern. Notably, though, participants voiced their reluctance to contact child protective services should they encounter families struggling with abuse. Implications for practice and directions for future research are suggested.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1077-5595 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1077559504266800 ID - ref1 ER -