THE MYTH OF THE BATTERED CHILD SYNDROME IS ACCEPTED BY MANY IN THE FIELD AND IT IS REFLECTED IN SOME CHILD ABUSE LEGISLATION THAT HOLDS THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF CHILD ABUSE IS CRUEL PARENTS WHO CHOOSE INTENTIONALLY TO ABUSE THEIR CHILDREN. THIS VIEW IS TOO NARROW AND DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF CHILD ABUSE BY CORRECTING THE CONDITIONS THAT SPAWN IT. THE CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE ARE A COMPLEX INTERWEAVING OF DEBILITATING SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO A SEVERE LIMITATION IN THE CAPABILITY OF PARENTS TO PROVIDE THEIR CHILDREN WITH PROPER EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL NOURISHMENT. ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR BY PARENTS IS THEREFORE VIEWED AS A SYMPTOM OF DEEPER CAUSES CREATING INCAPACITATING STRESS WITH THE FAMILY SETTING. EXAMPLES OF THE APPLICATION OF THIS VIEW TO THE TREATMENT OF ABUSE ARE PROVIDED. ONE EXAMPLE INVOLVES THE CREATION OF AN INTERAGENCY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY CONSULTATION GROUP WHICH MEETS WEEKLY AT A HOSPITAL TO EXPLORE THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN BEARING THE PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF SEVERE FAMILY DISTRESS. THIS GROUP ATTEMPTS TO HELP FAMILIES BY LOCATING SERVICES WHICH CAN IMPROVE THE FAMILIES ABILITY TO FUNCTION POSITIVELY. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE MEDICAL, DENTAL, SOCIAL SERVICES, AS WELL AS LEGAL HELP, CHILD CARE, HOMEMAKER SERVICES, AND PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT. INADEQUATE ATTEMPTS TO DEAL WITH CIRCUMSTANCES SPAWNING CHILD ABUSE ARE CITED, PARTICULARLY IN THE ARENA OF WELFARE SERVICES. REFERENCES ARE FOOTNOTED. (RCB)