Family Violence Across the Lifespan: An Introduction

Family Violence Across the Lifespan: An Introduction. Ola W. Barnett, Cindy L. Miller-Perrin, and Robin D. Petrin. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1997. Hardcover: $69.95; Softcover: $32.95; 392 pages.

In this book, Barnett, Miller-Perrin, and Perrin undertake to provide an overview of the field of family violence. They begin with a brief history, an overview of various theoretical and professional approaches to the problem, and a consideration of basic issues faced by researchers in the area. In subsequent chapters the authors discuss in greater detail specific types of family violence including child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, child neglect and psychological maltreatment, courtship violence, "marital" violence, and elder abuse.

Violence in intimate partner relationships is given the greatest attention with separate chapters dealing with children who are exposed to marital violence, victims of wife abuse, batterers, and courtship violence and date rape. Abuse directed towards children is adequately addressed and includes a thoughtful discussion of neglect and psychological abuse. The book is weakest in its consideration of elder abuse. The authors focus on abuse by caregivers and minimize the fact that elders are...