Identifying, Defining, and Measuring Child Maltreatment

Abstract

This chapter addressed the subjectivity of the federal definition of child maltreatment, supporting legislation, and attitudes about race and parenting that have affected the identification of abuse and neglect. Families of color continue to be disproportionately represented in foster care, although there is no evidence that the rate of child maltreatment differs between white and Black households. Attitudes about race have continued to affect decision-making at all points of the investigation of abuse and neglect, including reporting, investigations, identification, removals, and foster care placement. Without empirically based definitions and additional research on the many forms of child maltreatment, including the various forms of neglect, the problem of persistent systemic racism has continued. Training is needed to provide an understanding of diverse parenting styles and the impact of culture while still providing for child safety.