How the social construction of “child abuse” affect immigrant parents: Policy changes that protect children and families

Immigrants who move to the United States often face the challenge of interpreting new laws and social norms (e.g., parenting norms), which may vary greatly from their native culture. Acceptable parenting practices are socially constructed beliefs, rooted in cultural context. What is acceptable in one culture may be labeled as child abuse in another. Thus, immigrant parents are at risk for having their parenting practices defined as child abuse by mainstream culture. Defining child abuse in a multicultural society is difficult. In the court system, a cultural defense brings culture into the courtroom, questioning the intent in “abusive” cultural parenting practices. This article offers suggestions that alter the response of social services and the legal system to abuse cases involving immigrant families. These changes to policy and education have potential to protect immigrant parents and families.