Factors contributing to family violence are examined including the contributions of certain social and family structure to reduced social controls and consequently reduced social costs and increased rewards of violence. A variety of myths and public attitudes toward family violence are explored: that abuse is rare, that the offender is mentally ill, that family violence is confined to the poor and minorities, that women like being hit, that abused children later become abusers, and that violence and love are incompatible. Difficulties in defining and studying family violence are elucidated, and research strategies are described. Research then is reviewed on prevalence, incidence, and factors related to family violence. Victim, offender, and family profiles are offered; and the contributions of social and economic factors to family violence are discussed. The physical and psychological consequences of child and spouse abuse are discussed, and factors that influence women to remain in abusive relationships are considered. Legal, social, and medical responses to intimate violence are described; and future directions for the treatment and prevention of family violence are outlined. Illustrative case materials are included, and supplementary research data are appended. 14 figures, 211 footnotes, and an index.