Dads Against the Divorce IndustryDA*DI is devoted to reinstating the societal valuation of Marriage and the traditional, nuclear American Family, with particular emphasis on the essential role of FATHERS. DA*DI offers contemporary reports and commentary on culture; its aberrations and its heroes. |
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The Heritage Foundation report "The
Child Abuse Crisis: The Disintegration of Marriage, Family, and the
American Community," May 15, 1997 notes that: "[due to] ... the
disintegration of family and community ... America's infants and
young children, about 2,000 of whom -- 6 per day -- die each year,"
and provides the following estimate:
Background. Homicide is the leading cause of infant
deaths due to injury. More than 80 percent of infant homicides are
considered to be fatal child abuse. This study assessed the timing
of deaths and risk factors for infant homicide.
Methods. Using linked birth and death certificates
for all births in the U.S. between 1983 and 1991, we identified 2776
homicides occurring during the first year of life. Birth-certificate
variables were reviewed in both bivariate and multivariate
stratified analyses. Variables potentially predictive of homicide
were selected on the basis of increased relative risks among
subcategories with adequate numbers for stable estimates.
Results. Half the homicides occurred by the fourth
month of life. The most important risk factors were a second or
subsequent infant born to a mother less than 17 years old (relative
risk, 10.9) or 17 to 19 years old (relative risk, 9.3), as compared
with a first infant born to a mother 25 years old or older; a
maternal age of less than 15 years, as compared with an age of at
least 25 years (relative risk, 6.8); no prenatal care as compared
with early prenatal care (relative risk, 10.4); and less than 12
years of education among mothers who were at least 17 years old
(relative risk, 8.0), as compared with 16 or more years of
education.
Conclusions. Childbearing at an early age was
strongly associated with infant homicide, particularly if the mother
had given birth previously. Our findings may have implications for
prevention. (N Engl J Med 1998;339:1211-6.) |