Cultures vary in their definitions of optimum, deficient, and even adequate parenting, and these differences significantly influence definitions of child abuse and neglect. All cultural practices are not necessarily good for the individuals who experience them. Therefore, the child protection field should more carefully evaluate what a specific cultural practice entails, how it fits within the cultural context, what its distribution is within the population, and what impact it has on members of the culture. Less attention has been paid in the literature to intra-cultural variability, or the continuum of behaviors that are accepted by a cultural group. Child maltreatment is generally not cultural in the sense of a whole group acting to the explicit detriment of children. Instead, child maltreatment generally involves individuals who act outside the culturally accepted continuum of behaviors and practices. The evidence is somewhat contradictory concerning the impact of culture on the incidence and prevalence of child maltreatment. The importance of culture is difficult to determine due to imprecise definitions of both culture and maltreatment, possible bias in reporting, and the confounding of social class and culture. Culture is likely to be important in the etiology of child maltreatment in providing the context for identifying factors that are risk-enhancing or risk-reducing. Moreover, cultural competence is critical in addressing and resolving family difficulties and in bolstering family strengths. Prevention and intervention strategies should consider client variables and perspectives, including cultural affiliation. 113 references, 1 figure, and 1 photograph