Jonathan Boston provides an insightful analysis of the emergence and persistence of child poverty in New Zealand (Boston, 2014, "Educational Philosophy and Theory"). His remarks on why child poverty matters are brief but, as he reports, "there is a large and robust body of research on the harmful consequences of child poverty"…

In this article, Sioux Hall promotes using a strengths-based approach to examine the interruption of the intergenerational cycle of child abuse and explores the strategies that women who were abused by a parent as children used to raise their children without abuse. She documents the mothers' uses of strategies such as vowing to protect and…

The authors argue for closer collaboration between public schools and the public child welfare system, on behalf of children placed at risk, with respect to whether they will do as well in school as their abilities suggest they might, all else being equal. The need for closer collaboration is tied to two developments affecting schools and the…

Comments on the article by Robert Bornstein, "The complex relationship between dependency and domestic violence: Converging psychological factors and social forces." Although a more focused examination of the psychological factors involved in domestic violence is welcome, there are some factual errors in Bornstein's article that need attention and…

In the UK, the discourse of innocence currently prevails as a major way of understanding children. This article argues that the strength of this discourse lies in its prevalence, its resistance to challenges and the ways in which it connects ideas of innocence and vulnerability. The moral quality of the discourse of innocence works in conjunction…

Contends that degree of risk for abuse to children of adolescent parents may well be determined by financial, social, and emotional stresses these families face, with availability of resources which offer support and encouragement perhaps being critical factor. Suggests technique of mapping to isolate these correlates. Suggest reformulation of…

Offers an overview of the development of risk assessment and its purpose and goals, a summary of research on risk assessment to date, and suggestions regarding future research. Notes the research on risk assessment confirms the lack of conceptual clarity and the difficulty of incorporating it into the child protective services system. (TJQ)

Introduces a study of sexual behavior problems in sexually abused boys and girls, aged 3-7 years. Stresses the importance of considering the issue of the child's own sexual feelings and arousal. Such studies are seen as providing practitioners with pointers to the most at-risk children. Also urges more research concerning interventions for sexual…

Developmental theories can be augmented by incorporating knowledge about atypical ontogenesis. Examination of individuals with high-risk conditions and psychopathological disorders can shed light on system organization, disorganization, and reorganization. Child maltreatment is examined to illustrate benefits from studying individuals subjected to…

Over the past 30 years, the political response to child maltreatment and its prevention has experienced periods of frantic activity, often followed by long periods of benign neglect. To an extent, this pattern reflects deep differences among child welfare advocates, researchers and practitioners on how best to proceed. While most everyone agrees…

Examines what is known regarding Homebuilders-type family preservation programs and identifies gaps in knowledge. Proposes a knowledge development framework for appropriate future research that emphasizes the importance of theory, of focusing on specific problems, and of testing hypotheses that link conceptualization of problems, their causes, and…

Many families are in crisis and the effect on children is staggering. The three main stresses of children and families today are divorce and remarriage, violence, and lack of communication in families. Efforts must be made to avoid losing the greatest natural resource: families. (DG)

Discusses the reasons why children are involved in court proceedings and the effects of the experience on their well-being, especially for children who are victims or witnesses to criminal activity, violence, and abuse. Drop-in child day care is discussed as a possible program model to support families and counteract the risks to children. (MDM)

This editorial comments on a study showing an association between low parental empathy and high risk for child abuse behaviors in mothers, and urges studies that link maternal emotionality and empathic responsiveness with treatment programs. (DB)

This paper discusses the connection between the characteristics of childhood abuse survivors (chronic depression, revictimization, sexual compulsivity, substance abuse, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) high-risk behaviors); examines the clinical implications of these connections; and outlines recommendations based on a case study, such as…