The article examines the social factors that contributed to battered baby syndrome. A controlled investigation of 214 parents of battered children shows that pre-marital pregnancy and illegitimacy, absence of the child's father, marital disharmony and the rejection attitude towards the child are precursors of child abuse. It is found that the abusive parent are usually those belong in the low social groups. In addition, it is claimed that battered children are likely to be brought up in broken homes and are at risk to acquire social maldevelopment and death. The authors stress that the true prevention of the problem is an effective education concerning child care.