Considering such factors as disruption of Indian families caused by Anglo educational programs (missionary schools, BIA boarding schools), by Indian relocation programs, and other non-Indian institutions, many of today's abusive and neglectful Indian parents were victims as children in these same institutions. The 9-page information sheet offers a brief listing of factors which might contribute to child abuse and/or neglect among Indian families. They include cycle of violence (parents were abused themselves), social isolation (apart from economic deprivation, removal from extended family and support network); poor parenting skills; economic deprivation; emotional trauma (death in family, divorce, loss of job); guilt (sense of being a poor parent); psychoses; marital problems; personal frustration; too many children; rigid sex roles (relegating all child care and nurturing to women); poor health; and drugs and alcohol. Basic characteristics of the Indian abusive parent are listed to help recognize suspected abuse or neglect: immaturity, associated dependency, low self-esteem, social isolation, reluctance to seek help, self-abusive, non-confrontative, non-interventive, lacks knowledge of child development, uses corporal punishment, self-righteous, and strong belief in the value of punishment. Two examples of Indian families in need are described along with solutions to the problem of abusive parents. (ERB)