Family Violence and Child Abuse in Latin America and the Caribbean: The Cases of Colombia and Mexico

IADB, Sustainable Development Department Technical Papers Series, SOC-137, 2005

57 Pages Posted: 16 May 2012

See all articles by Felicia Knaul

Felicia Knaul

Harvard Global Equity Initiative; Mexican Health Foundation

Miguel Ramírez

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: 2005

Abstract

Violence is a public health problem with extensive long- and short-term consequences for individuals, families and nations. Intra-family violence is one of the most common forms of violence, and children are particularly at risk. The physical and emotional effects of child abuse prevent many children from attaining their highest possible level of education and from performing well in school. Later in life, these same children may be less successful in the labor market. Children who suffer abuse are also more likely to be perpetrators and victims of violence later in life, contributing to an intergenerational cycle of abuse. The combination of reduced educational attainment and less success in the labor market implies lower levels of human capital, and hence, reduced income-generating capacity for individuals, households and nations. Thus, child abuse contributes to perpetuating the poverty cycle.

Keywords: public health problem, violence

Suggested Citation

Knaul, Felicia and Knaul, Felicia and Ramírez, Miguel, Family Violence and Child Abuse in Latin America and the Caribbean: The Cases of Colombia and Mexico (2005). IADB, Sustainable Development Department Technical Papers Series, SOC-137, 2005, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2050694

Felicia Knaul (Contact Author)

Harvard Global Equity Initiative ( email )

FXB Building, Room 632
651 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
United States
(617) 4327938 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k62597&pageid=icb.page268594

Mexican Health Foundation ( email )

Periférico sur 4809, El Arenal Tepepan, Tlalpan
El Arenal Tepepan, Tlalpan
Mexico, D.F., 14610
Mexico
(52) 55 56559011 (Phone)
(52) 55 56559082 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://http//www.funsalud.org.mx

Miguel Ramírez

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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