The behavioral causes of family violence are psychological needs and development as they relate to interpersonal violence, social statuses and structures that encourage family violence, and cultural attitudes and values that legitimize violence in the family and in societal institutions. Prevention programs that focus on the individual include educational programs for teenagers and young adults that address family functioning and child care, skill building in anger and conflict management for the same target group, and special help to families with mentally ill and substance-abusing members. Interpersonal networks for nuclear families are also important for helping individuals refrain from violent behavior. Preventive programs that focus on the social system include the training of educators to socialize students to cope with frustration nonviolently, increasing opportunities for men and women to work outside the home, and increasing the use of formal criminal charges in domestic assault cases. Preventive programs that focus on cultural values include public advocacy for nonsexist familial roles, reduction in violence portrayed in the media, and the sensitization of parents to the need for female children to develop positive self-images. 31 references.