Preventing Child Maltreatment in the U.S.: The Latinx Community Perspective

This book is part of a concentrated series of books that examines child maltreatment across cultural groups.  Specifically, this volume examines core concepts relevant to Latinx families (e.g., familismo, acculturation, spirituality, oppression) as they relate to child maltreatment in the United States. While there are vast differences across Latinx families, authors use critical race and feminist theories to explore the impact of differences based on gender, race, immigration status, and country of origin. The book begins by contextualizing child maltreatment in Latinx families within the pervasive structural racism and inequality in the United States and addressing unique traumas experienced by Latinx families resulting from that inequity. Subsequent chapters address prevention of child maltreatment, responses to maltreatment and healing from trauma with an emphasis on resilience within the Latinx community. Three case studies are used to illustrate and apply concepts from each chapter.   
 

This book examines core concepts relevant to Latinx families as they relate to child maltreatment. Utilizing cases of three families, child maltreatment in Latinx families is contextualized within the pervasive structural racism and inequality in the United States while the resilience and strengths of Latinx families are highlighted.

ESTHER J. CALZADA is the Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion and the Leben Professor in Child and Family Behavioral Health at The University of Texas at Austin. She is a clinical child psychologist whose research focuses on parenting and early child development in Latinx families.
MONICA FAULKNER is a research associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin and the director of the Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing. She is a licensed masters-level social worker in Texas. Her research focuses on building programs and strategies to improve child welfare programs.
 
CATHERINE LABRENZ is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work and is a licensed masters-level social worker in Texas. Her research focuses on building resilience to break cycles of child maltreatment.  She has worked with families involved in child welfare in Santiago, Chile.
MILTON A. FUENTES is a professor of psychology at Montclair State University in New Jersey and a licensed psychologist in New Jersey and New York.  His scholarship focuses on equity, diversity and inclusion and he has authored several peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and books in this area.
 

Introduction
1. Contextual and Cultural Considerations for Understanding Latinx Families in the United States 
2. Understanding Child Maltreatment in the Latinx Population 
3. Trauma and Its Impact on Latinx Families 
4. Parenting and Discipline in Latinx Families 
5. Preventing Child Maltreatment among Latinx Families in the United States
6. Providing Targeted Child Maltreatment Interventions to Latinx Families 
7. Promoting Resilience and Healing in Latinx Families 
8. Conclusion: Future Directions
References
Index

"A refreshing and nuanced perspective that debunks colonialist narratives on child maltreatment and centers cultural context in discourse on origins of and interventions for maltreatment, this book takes an intersectional approach in identifying challenges and recommending how to support safe, stable and nurturing parenting in an increasingly diverse U.S. population. A critical resource for practitioners, policy makers and researchers alike."

"This book provides an expansive and insightful account of the economic, political, social, and structural drivers of child maltreatment in the United States. Case studies, prevention strategies, and treatment and policy recommendations are grounded in a cultural perspective that highlights the strengths of Latinx children and families. This book is a key resource for students, educators, researchers, and practitioners across disciplines that focus on child protection, child well-being, and anti-oppressive practice and should be a required reading for anyone who works intimately in Latinx communities."

"A refreshing and nuanced perspective that debunks colonialist narratives on child maltreatment and centers cultural context in discourse on origins of and interventions for maltreatment, this book takes an intersectional approach in identifying challenges and recommending how to support safe, stable and nurturing parenting in an increasingly diverse U.S. population. A critical resource for practitioners, policy makers and researchers alike."

"This book provides an expansive and insightful account of the economic, political, social, and structural drivers of child maltreatment in the United States. Case studies, prevention strategies, and treatment and policy recommendations are grounded in a cultural perspective that highlights the strengths of Latinx children and families. This book is a key resource for students, educators, researchers, and practitioners across disciplines that focus on child protection, child well-being, and anti-oppressive practice and should be a required reading for anyone who works intimately in Latinx communities."