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food, nurturance and protection. As the child matures and becomes more independent
physically, he is still dependent on the parents to provide love, guidance and
instruction on the norms andvalues that pertain in the society. The family remains the
anchor, even though the child's social contacts are gradually expanding. The parents
in return, are rewarded by the child's smile, a hug and his later achievements, carried
out with the express purpose of pleasing them.
In an abnormal relationship, this symbiosis between parents and child is disturbed. The
mother may, because ofunwanted pregnancy, difficult or caesarian, false expectations,
etc. fail to respond adequately to the needs ofthe child. The temperament of the child
may also trigger the non-responsiveness of the mother. H the child is continually
frustrated by the mother's rejection, he will later in life have difficulty in establishing
friendships and bonds of trust with others. The disruption of the bond, coupled with
other pressures and frustrations, often erupts into acts of violence against the child in
moments of stress.
(c) Studies pertaining to marital difficulties
A great deal has been written about the role of marital difficulties as a contributory
factor in child abuse. A review of the literature reveals that abusing families are
categorised by a high degree of disorganisation, conflict, separation and divorce
(Clifton 1982 : 29). Strauss (1984 : 390) reports that abusing parents are less satisfied
with their marriages. Dates (1984) found that there was less participation in shared
decision-making, and more disagreements among abusing parents. Further evidence
in support of marital difficulties among the parents of abused children is cited by
Clifton (1982 : 30). The literature reveals that many authors found a great deal of
marital disharmony, while others found an extremely close and claustrophobic type of
relationship in the families of abused children.
(d) Studies pertaining to social isolation
A study ofthe literature reveals unanimously that abusing parents are socially isolated,