WHY DO PARENTS ABUSE THEIR CHILDREN? SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES IN PRIMARY EDUCATION

Abstract

This paper presents a revision of the most important theoretical models that over the years have tried to explain the causes of children maltreatment. Special attention is given to the ecological ecosystemic model, considered to be the most comprehensive in the explanation of this phenomenon. The capacity of schools in order to face social problems that need the school’s intervention is more limited when it comes to problems related to children maltreatment, but the obligation to intervene shouldn’t be questioned. Moreover, the recognition of its capacity to act introduces the school as the most suitable environment to develop detection and prevention tasks. That is why a set of guidelines and orientations are given in order to carry out this new role.