VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS - INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES

Selected topics of violence against children and adolescents that occu r in countries outside of the United States are discussed. Focus is gi ven to middle-income and low-income countries and emphasis is placed o n the epidemiology of this pressing public health problem, particularl y on conditions that are peculiar to children and adolescents in inter national settings, such as female genital mutilations, wars, displacem ents, and land mines. The discussion of child maltreatment is presente d in the context of child rearing and discipline in different cultures . Recommendations for action and violence prevention are offered in th e light of vast cultural differences.