Families in Poverty: Those Who Maltreat Their Infants and Toddlers and Those Who Do Not

ABSTRACT

Children in poverty are at increased risk of maltreatment (Sedlak, 1997), but not all children living in poverty are maltreated. Identifying the differences between families who maltreat and those who do not is imperative to helping families in need. This paper presents findings from a research study looking at correlates of maltreatment and how they are related to poverty for our most vulnerable of children, infants and toddlers. It is reported that significant differences exist between families who live in poverty that maltreat their children and those who do not. Important practice and policy implications are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Family
• poverty
• child maltreatment
• infant
• toddler