Physical Violence and Scapegoating Within the Family: An Exploration of Biblical Texts and Contemporary Psychology.

Abstract in brief

• The article explores the concept of physical violence and scapegoating within families, linking biblical texts, especially those involving parental corporal punishment, to broader social and psychological theories of victimization.
• It highlights how scapegoating, as depicted in the Bible, reflects cultural and religious developments and also appears in modern psychology to help understand family violence and the victim role played by children.
• The discussion focuses on two key dynamics: children as scapegoats for family tensions and as victims of parents' emotional dysregulation, emphasizing the importance of defining the child's role in these violent or scapegoating situations.