ABUSE IS AN ORDERLY OUTCOME OF A NETWORK OF CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY FORCES THAT, IN TURN, AFFECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY INTERACTION PATTERNS LEADING TO ABUSIVE INCIDENTS. CULTURAL SANCTIONING OF VIOLENCE AND LACK OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR FAMILIES SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ABUSIVE PATTERNS. ANALYSIS OF FAMILY INTERACTION PATTERNS THAT LEAD TO ABUSIVE INCIDENTS POINTS UP THE ROLE OF BOTH THE CHILD-VICTIM AND THE SPOUSE. RESOCIALIZATION OF ABUSIVE FAMILIES CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THERAPEUTIC MODIFICATION OF FAMILY INTERACTION PATTERNS AND THROUGH IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AVAILABILITY OF SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS. IN CONTRAST TO AN EMPHASIS ON BLAME/RESPONSIBILITY OR HEALTH/DISEASE, SUCH AN APPROACH SUGGESTS THAT SOCIAL PROBLEMS CAN BE MANAGED MORE EFFECTIVELY BY USING THE LEGAL SYSTEM AS AN ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF REDRESSING GRIEVANCES, ACCOMMODATING INTERESTS, AND SECURING RIGHTS. PROFESSIONALS IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM CAN SERVE AS FACILITATORS OF EFFECTIVE FAMILY FUNCTIONING RATHER THAN MERELY AS AGENTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE NEED TO GIVE WIDER RECOGNITION TO CHILDREN'S RIGHTS IS NOTED, AND ARGUMENTS LIMITING THE SCOPE OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS IN TERMS OF SOCIOLEGAL COMPETENCE ARE QUESTIONED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)