Some parents physically abuse a child as a futile last effort to gain control of the child. Parents who experience loss of control of a child feel they are being manipulated and controlled by the child, resulting in feelings of hostility and frustration. An escalating cycle can occur as the parent attempts to gain control but in frustration and anger eventually lashes out against the child in the form of physical abuse (Patterson, 1982). Research on physical abuse indicates that more males than females are physically abused (Wolfner & Gelles, 1993). The risk of death resulting from physical abuse is greatest in children under 1 year of age. Children from large families with four or more children are more endangered and experience more physical
