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Gil (1975 : 354) states that much of the frustration engendered in the work place, is
discharged in the home, taking the form of husband-wife conflicts and child abuse. He
sees poverty as part of a wider social problem, believing that societies implement
social policies which encourage poverty and perpetuate it - more so in non-egalitarian
societies where every individual is not given full and equal opportunities to realise his
innate potential.He also says that poverty, besides creating extremely stressful
conditions, also weakens the parent's self-control, as there are distinct patterns of
child-rearing among the poor which condone the use of aggression, and this may spill
over into violence.
Gabinet (1983 : 399) states that poor parents are unable to teach their children to
function more effectively than they do. It would appear that a life of unending poverty
contributes to feelings of inadequacy, frustration and failure, and a vicious cycle from
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which escape isxery difficult, if not impossible.
(b) Unemplovrnent
Unemployment with its concomitants of loss of integrity, self-respect, family stability,
status and income, generates great stress which can and often does erupt into violence
in the home. Prolonged unemployment has a disorganising effect on family life.
According to Bensel (1984 : 38) unemployment and recession are related to physical
abuse, alcoholism, crime and heart and liver related deaths. Unemployment hits
hardest at the poor, as they are faced with fewer job opportunities and alternatives and
ever increasing prices. Unemployment is a frequently observed characteristic among
abusing families.
(c) Mobilitv
Many studies have found a connection between mobility and child abuse. A great deal
of uncertainty and stress occur when families constantly uproot themselves.
Unemployment is frequently related to the high level of mobility among abusing
parents. Each time a move is made, the whole family has to readjust. The children