RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT FAMILY VIOLENCE CAN BE LEARNED DURING SO-CALLED CRITICAL PERIODS WHEREIN EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, OR PERSONAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO A CHILD'S SENSE OF INSECURITY, REJECTION, OR INCOMPETENCE. STRESS CAN BE TRANSLATED AS AN INDIVIDUAL'S PREDISPOSITION, CREATED BY PSYCHOLOGY, CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES WHICH CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY TO PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT, PREVIOUS EXPRESSIONS OF VIOLENCE, CURRENT AFFECTIONAL BONDS, ROLE CERTAINTY OR CONFUSION, OR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OF PERSONAL STRESS. THE INDIVIDUAL'S PREDISPOSITION INTERACTS WITH A VARIETY OF SITUATIONAL FACTORS INCLUDING THE CURRENT STATE (IRRITABILITY, TIREDNESS, GENERAL HEALTH), OPPORTUNITY, DISINHIBITING FACTORS (ALCOHOL, DRUGS), FAMILY, AND OTHER SUPPORTS AND RESTRAINTS, ROLE REVERSAL OR UNCERTAINTY, OR ACUTE AND CHRONIC STRESS. THE IMPULSE TO VIOLENCE, RESULTING FROM THE INTERACTION BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL'S PREDISPOSITION AND SITUATIONAL FACTORS MAY BE EXPRESSED OR CONTROLLED; IN EITHER CASE, THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE MAY BE PERPETUATED. IN ORDER TO INTERRUPT THESE CYCLES OF VIOLENCE, THREE DIFFERENT APPROACHES ARE POSSIBLE. A FAMILY SITUATION WHICH IS BROADLY SATISFACTORY MAY REQUIRE COMPLEMENTARY SERVICES, SUCH AS WELFARE FACILITIES OR PRACTICAL HELP. OTHER FAMILIES WITH MORE OVERT DEFICIENCIES MAY NEED SUPPLEMENTARY CARE, SUCH AS AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAM CONCERNED WITH THE CHILD'S TOTAL EXPERIENCE. FINALLY, WHERE A FAMILY'S DEFICIENCIES ARE TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE, SUBSTITUTE CARE IS NEEDED, WHEREIN PARENTHOOD RIGHTS ARE TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY WITHDRAWN. AS THE FAMILY, AND HENCE THE CHILD, REMAIN THE CORNERSTONES OF OUR SOCIETY, PUBLIC EDUCATION, COMMUNITY INTERVENTION, APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION, AND FAMILY PLANNING SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED AS PREVENTIVE AND CURATIVE MEASURES FOR VIOLENCE IN THE FAMILY. A SHORT BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (MHP)