2022 Volume 73 Issue 1 Pages 10-20
The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of Child Maltreatment (CM) and examine the views among young married childless women on children in Zhejiang Province, China. As a research method, semi-structured interviews took place with ten highly educated young married childless women.
Results indicated that CM was generally perceived as intentional serious violence and neglect towards children. But respondents permitted mild physical violence “for disciplining” and “for threatening”. Although they showed an awareness about respecting children, their opinions still reflected a view of children based on the traditional Chinese ethic. Besides, low awareness of CM was associated with those who viewed children negatively, and high awareness of CM was associated with those who viewed children from multiple viewpoints. Therefore, the findings suggest that it is necessary for young married childless women to establish the view that children are independent personalities and to understand children from multiple viewpoints.
