Culture shapes the way individuals experience childhood and how they raise their children. Behaviors that are considered abusive in one culture, such as corporal punishment or harsh verbal discipline, may be considered acceptable in another. On this page you will find resources that explore the relationship between culture and child maltreatment and how child welfare workers can respond.
Cultural Healing Practices That Mimic Child Abuse (PDF - 1,312 KB)
Killion (2017)
Annals of Forensic Research and Analysis, 4(2)
Discusses cultural healing practices that resemble identifying markers of child abuse.
Culturally Responsive Child Welfare Practice (PDF - 9,670 KB)
LaLiberte, Crudo, & Skallet (2015)
CW360, Winter
Focuses on culturally responsive practice with American Indian, African-American, and other families.
Determining Child Abuse & Neglect Across Cultures
Bridging Refugee Youth and Children Services
Addresses what to consider when in possible child maltreatment cases in refugee families.
Female Genital Mutilation
World Health Organization (2020)
Presents an overview of female genital mutilation, including types, the harm it causes, and responses to it.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
UNICEF (2020)
Presents information about female genital mutilation, including its prevalence and changes in practice and attitudes.
Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Offers national and international resources and information about female genital mutilation or cutting, including strategies to eliminate the practice.
Individual, Family, and Culture Level Contributions to Child Physical Abuse and Neglect: A Longitudinal Study in Nine Countries
Landsford, Godwin, Tirado, Zelli, Al-Hassan, Bacchini, Bombi, et al. (2015)
Development and Psychopathology, 27(4)
Presents a study conducted across nine countries to examine their cultural-level predictors of child abuse and neglect.