RESUMO
This paper compares the normative point count of the Parenting Inventory for Adults and Adolescents (PIAA) with the points of the fathers of a family (n = 336) and adolescents (n = 357) in the city of Guadalajara. The comparisons were studied in the four dimensions of paternity which have proven clinically and experimentally valid for detection of child abuse and maltreatment. An analysis of the points obtained by fathers of children in private and public schools, as well as the points acquired by Mexican female adolescents were compared with white and black adolescents (in USA), as well as pregnant and non-pregnant ones. The object of the study was to know the point count of Mexican females on the PIAA, and contrast the count with those considered normative and those of pregnant adolescents, who are considered a high risk due to paternal abuse. The results show the Mexican fathers acquire less points with respect to the adolescents, when compared with the respective normative tables. The significance of these facts of low point count is discussed in terms of identifying child abuse and maltreatment in the Mexican child population of different social and economic strata as compared with other risk groups.