Teenage violence toward parents as an adaptation to family strain - Evidence from a national survey of male adolescents

Certain strain and social learning theorists contend that child-to-parent v iolence represents a functional response to family adversity (or strain). I n particular these theorists suggest that child-to-parent aggression can be understood partly as an attempt to cope with negative treatment by parents or other family members. Furthermore, violent responses may work for child ren, allowing them to terminate such treatment In this study, longitudinal data from a national survey of male adolescents are analyzed to test the as sumption that child aggression represents a functional response to family s train. Consistent with theoretical accounts, the results indicate a recipro cal relationship between parental and child aggression, characterized by co untervailing effects. Although aggression by parents (slapping) tends to fo ster aggression on the part of the male adolescent child, aggression by the male adolescent child tends to deter the assaultive behavior of parents. I mplications for criminological theory, research, and the control of violent behavior are discussed.