WHY WE SHOULD STUDY SUBABUSIVE VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN

This article argues that although it is important to study child abuse , it is also important to study and understand ordinary, everyday, sub abusive violence against children. Five reasons for studying this issu e are discussed: pervasiveness of subabuse, questioning the ''natural' ' protectiveness of human parenting, possible relationship with child abuse, learning and interference of children's learning, and humanitar ian concerns. Research in this area is difficult to carry out. New res earch strategies are needed, and researchers are urged to explore this area.