THE ARAB STATES ARE CONSIDERED AS A UNIT BECAUSE THEIR LEGAL SYSTEMS DERIVE DIRECTLY FROM THE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM. IN GREAT BRITAIN AND UNITED STATES THE LEGAL SYSTEM IS SET UP TO DEAL MAINLY WITH ABUSE OF INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN; IN INDIAN AND ARAB SOCIETIES CASES OF VICTIMIZATION OF ADOLESCENTS INSIDE THE FAMILY GREATLY OUTNUMBER THOSE OF PARENTAL CRUELTY TO INFANTS AND TODDLERS. IN ALL FOUR SOCIETIES CHILD ABUSE IS SEEN AS THE RESULT OF OUTMODED CONCEPTS OF PARENTAL AUTHORITY. BOTH ISLAMIC LAW AND THE TRADITIONAL TEACHINGS OF HINDUISM ADMONISH PARENTS TO TREAT CHILDREN WITH LOVE AND KINDNESS, AND PLACE LIMITS ON PARENTAL AUTHORITY. THESE TEACHINGS ARE WIDELY DISREGARDED IN PRACTICE, HOWEVER. THE SUFFERINGS OF STEPCHILDREN, CHILDREN OF DIVORCEES, AND ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN ARE ESPECILLAY SEVERE. BECAUSE EXTENDED FAMILIES ARE MORE OPEN AND GRANDMOTHERS AND AUNTS ARE AVAILABLE TO TAKE CARE OF SMALL CHILDREN, ABUSE OF THE VERY YOUNG SEEMS TO BE LESS COMMON THAN IN WESTERN SOCIETIES. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE LARGE FAMILIES, MALNUTRITION IS COMMON, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE POOR. ABUSE GENERALLY BECOMES PREVALENT WHEN THE CHILD IS OLD ENOUGH TO WORK. IN INDIA IT IS QUITE COMMON FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN TO BE SENT OUT TO WORK TO HELP CONTRIBUTE TO THE FAMILY, AND THE CHILD WHO IS DISCHARGED OR COMMITS A TRIVIAL MISTAKE IS OFTEN SEVERELY PUNISHED. ADOLESCENTS WHO ARE NOT RESPECTFUL ENOUGH OR RELIGIOUS ENOUGH OFTEN ARE STARVED OR BEATEN. THE LEGAL CODES FORBID SUCH ABUSE, BUT CASES GO UNREPORTED. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT GOVERNMENTS ESTABLISH CHILD ABUSE REPORTING SYSTEMS GUARANTEEING SECRECY TO THE INFORMANT. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)