Domestic Violence Against Children: A Regional Sociological Study

This study examines domestic violence against children as a complex and largely hidden social phenomenon embedded in everyday family life. The focus is placed on various forms of child abuse, including physical and psychological violence, as well as their perception in public consciousness. Particular attention is given to the prevalence of such practices at the regional level and public attitudes towards them. The research explores the conditions under which violence is either condemned or partially justified as a method of child-rearing, along with the factors contributing to its persistence, including family traditions, cultural norms, and individual life experience. Special emphasis is placed on identifying the relationship between the social conditions of family life and the acceptability of violent practices in child upbringing. The empirical basis of the study consists of data obtained from a sociological survey conducted among the population of the Republic of Mordovia using a combined methodology, including face-to-face interviews and online questionnaires. The scientific novelty of the study lies in revealing the contradiction between the declared rejection of violence against children and the actual acceptance of certain forms of it in everyday parenting practices. The findings show that, despite general disapproval, some respondents consider the use of physical and psychological methods acceptable in specific situations. The study also demonstrates the influence of such factors as alcohol consumption within the family and personal experience of childhood abuse on the formation of tolerant attitudes toward violence. It is concluded that violent practices tend to be reproduced across generations, which highlights the need for preventive measures aimed at transforming social attitudes and strengthening child protection policies. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that sustain violent behavioral patterns within the family environment.