ABSTRACT
This chapter explains Hill's ABC-X and McCubbin's double ABC-X models for family stress and crisis. It discusses how social construction and social movement theory helps us understand how ideas about what is right and wrong in families can change over time and briefly traces the history of child abuse as a social problem. The chapter discusses some of the research and measurement issues and problems with family violence as a variable and outlines Walker's cycle of violence, and compares her perspective with that measured by the Conflict Tactics Scale. It briefly traces the history of the shelter movement and discusses the differences between individual and family counseling approaches for treating family violence. The chapter also describes potential future issues concerning family violence.
