NCJ Number
160863
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: (July 1995) Pages: 81-89
Date Published
1995
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The nature and extent of child abuse among low-income families in India were studied by means of interviews of 73 boys ages 12-15 living in a slum neighborhood in the northern region of Madras city.
Abstract
The interview schedule consisted of 33 items. Results revealed that 94.3 percent of the participants were beaten by their parents; a considerable percentage were also emotionally neglected. A total of 59.4 percent were beaten by hand, 47.8 percent were beaten by sticks, 7.2 percent were beaten by iron rod, and another 7.2 percent were beaten by other weapons. A total of 21.7 percent were beaten for school truancy, 39.1 percent for being with bad friends, 43.5 percent for playing always, 10.1 percent when the parents quarreled with each other, 17.4 percent when the father was drunk, 44.9 percent for not studying well, and 27.5 percent for bad habits. A total of 15.9 percent were beaten to the extent of having body marks; 7.2 percent experienced fractures. No significant relationship existed between sociodemographic factors, including parents' age and occupation, and physical abuse or between emotional neglect and physical abuse. Tables and 13 references