Introduction
Children are the most vulnerable members of a family. They are the precious, innocent faces of the future. They are the source of people’s happiness and love. As such, they require both love and attention from their parents to thrive. Child neglect occurs when a parent or caregiver fails to provide these essentials for their children. Child neglect is an issue that has been around for centuries. In the past, it was considered a crime, but with the advent of modern technology, child neglect has become a serious problem in American society (Jones and Ramchandani 5). Child neglect is one of the most significant issues facing society today. It is a serious problem that has been rising for years and has become more prevalent in recent years. Many people are unaware of the statistics surrounding child neglect and its prevalence across the United States.
This paper will outline the various types of child neglect and how it can impact children’s development and wellbeing. This will include an overview of the research that has been done on child neglect and its effects on children’s mental health, behavior, and academic achievement. There will be a discussion about what can be done to prevent child neglect from occurring in future generations. The paper will examine how many children are affected by child neglect each year and what factors play into those numbers. In addition, this paper will also look at ways states can improve their country’s current system so that fewer children fall victim to neglect and abuse. Finally, this paper will conclude with some recommendations for how people can continue working toward reducing child neglect throughout America. Child Neglect has been on the rise in America, leading to the need for intervention to identify its effects and develop measures to prevent it.
Types of Child Neglect
Child neglect is any act that harms a child, and there are three types of child neglect: physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. Physical abuse is the most common form of child neglect. It includes using physical force against a child, causing injury or death. It also includes inappropriate discipline techniques that result in bruising or bleeding on the body (Maguire-Jack and Font 215). It occurs when a parent or caregiver inflicts pain or injury on a child. Abuse can include hitting, pinching, burning, or other forms of physical violence. Physical abuse is a serious problem because it can lead to long-term problems such as depression and anxiety in children exposed to it at an early age.
Sexual abuse is any sexual activity with a child by someone other than a parent or guardian. This can include intercourse, oral sex, and penetration (including digital penetration). Sexual abuse can be any sexual activity involving a child under 18 when the perpetrator has power over them (physically or emotionally) and uses that power selfishly for their sexual gratification (Maguire-Jack and Font 220). This includes penetration by body parts other than genitalia (such as fingers), touching genital areas with hands/fingers, and showing pornography to children under 18.
Emotional abuse occurs when someone repeatedly tries to control another person’s behavior through intimidation or humiliation. It can include threatening harm to self or others if they do not obey orders; ignoring or insulting the other person; withholding food or shelter; isolating them from friends or family members, or forcing them to do hard work without compensation or rest breaks. This abuse involves any behavior intended to control, intimidate or humiliate a child (Maguire-Jack and Font 220). It can take many forms, such as threats, name-calling, ignoring, or forcing them to do things they do not want to do. Emotional abuse can also include verbal assaults designed to make a child feel worthless or stupid. Another type of child neglect involves failure to provide basic needs like food, shelter, and medical care. Neglecting a child’s basic needs can lead to malnutrition and dehydration, resulting in serious health problems and death from sicknesses such as pneumonia and diarrhea, among other things.
Impacts of Child Neglect on Children’s Development and Wellbeing
Child neglect is a serious problem that can cause children to suffer abuse, neglect, and abandonment. This can lead to physical and emotional damage and poor educational outcomes. It can weaken their emotional attachment to their parents, which can cause them to become more withdrawn and less responsive to treatment for other conditions, such as depression or drug addiction. The negative impact of neglect can also lead to low self-esteem and feelings of anger towards parents who will not take responsibility for their actions by providing care for them (Merrick et al. 12). Child neglect can result in various negative outcomes for children, including exposure to violence and substance use. These early experiences can have long-term effects on a child’s mental health, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. In addition to these mental health issues, neglect also negatively impacts academic performance, which may contribute to school failure later in life.
Neglect also has significant social consequences for children their parents or caregivers leave behind. This includes increased risks for homelessness and rates of incarceration later in life. In addition to these societal impacts, neglect can lead to. Neglected children often feel guilty about what happened because they feel responsible for caring for themselves when no one else would. They also feel neglected because they believe everything would be fine if not for bad things.
Neglecting a child at an early age is a bad experience that may have a negative impact on the child’s cognitive development. According to the findings of this research, the first postnatal experiences play an important part in the formation of neurobiology (Parasidi 68). Myelination, axonal pruning, and synaptic formation are among the processes that are altered directly from the events, most notably in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) (Merrick et al. 15). Children who, at a young age, are subjected to maltreatment eventually find themselves affiliated with a different white organization inside the PFC. As a result, the connections in the children’s PFC either do not function as well as they should, or the children’s white matter organization results in fewer connections. Since the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is responsible for high-level executive function, the processing of information in the brains of the affected youngsters is slower, which harms their learning capacity.
Several studies suggest a correlation between child neglect and childhood poverty since both outcomes are comparable. According to one of the studies, poverty is one of the primary social and economic variables that lead to child neglect (Parasidi 70). At the end of the research project, it was determined that childhood poverty and child neglect not only represent Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) and Major Depressive disorder but also predict the academic achievement of children impacted by these conditions. The research has shown, using a modified ecological method, that PSTD, neglect, and poverty are all factors that contribute to inferior academic achievements and dropouts. Poor reading skills and a low Intelligence quotient typically associate with these factors.
Researchers have also found that one of the most significant links between neglect and poor cognitive development and academic performance is the difficulties encountered in disciplinary situations. In the study by Patil and Yaji, a sample of 420 children who had been maltreated was put up against a sample of 420 children who had not been maltreated (Mulder et al. 201). The results showed that the maltreated children performed worse than the other children. The school performance data and discipline records were used to build the sample for the study. The study’s results showed that the children who were ignored had a performance index that declined as they advanced to higher grade levels. This fact may be the consequence of a cumulative set of socio-emotional consequences brought on by academic delays brought on by frequent suspensions, school transfers, disciplinary actions taken against them, grade repetitions, and moves both inside and outside the home.
Neglect in Connection to Mothers’ Role
In the early years of their life, children benefit tremendously from the involvement of their mothers in their education and growth. Language development is one of the most important functions, as it may ultimately affect the children’s academic progress, particularly in the area of languages. Patil and Yaji included 68 moms and the severely neglected children they cared for as participants in their study. All participants were confirmed to be single mothers by data gathered from a statistics survey conducted in Quebec, Canada. All of the participants lived at or below the federal poverty threshold. The research concentrated its attention largely on a total of 34 environmental risk factors and 14 biological risk factors (Patil and Yaji 74). It was determined that, out of all of these characteristics, cognitive development, which falls under the umbrella of psychological concerns, carries the highest level of risk relevance. Children neglected are at a higher risk of developing language delays, which could lead to more serious problems in the future regarding language development. Mothers should begin encouraging their children’s language development as early as nine months.
The study’s primary goal was to measure how detrimental maternal neglect is to a child’s academic performance, particularly in foreign language learning. However, the study included only kids at least two years old and up to 36 months old. There is little doubt that the study’s sample size was too small to draw any firm conclusions about the future prevalence of linguistic difficulties within that group (Mulder et al. 201). Therefore, there is room for a follow-up study in the future to see how the sample population’s language skills evolve. The study also included a serious lack of father involvement in their children’s language development. There were no discernible effects of cumulative environmental influences on linguistic maturation. Still, when a mother is experiencing acute depression, she is less likely to accept her child’s needs, increasing the likelihood that the youngster may be neglected. Neglect’s impact on a child’s linguistic development is compounded when additional factors are considered.
There may be a strong correlation between a mother’s level of education and her child’s academic success. In addition to serving as role models, mothers with higher levels of education can affect their children by providing them with cognitive skills and entertaining them through activities like singing and storytelling (Parasidis and Douglas). The study’s primary objective was to determine how much mother education affects children’s academic success. It is useful for drawing parallels to cases of child neglect. The negative effects of neglect have been shown to extend beyond academic performance in studies by Mills et al. Neglect of a child may have a domino effect, delaying or even preventing the adult from entering the workforce. Therefore, children whose caring adults surround them have a better chance of succeeding in school and life.
Factors that lead to the Increase in the Number of Child Neglect
The increase in child neglect cases can be attributed to several factors. First, there is a significant increase in children diagnosed with mental disorders. This has made it difficult for parents to recognize when their child is being neglected and ignored. Second, more programs are available to help parents deal with these issues. While some children may be able to attend one daycare program or one therapy session, others may need multiple sessions over weeks or months to get better. Third, more resources available than ever can help families overcome these challenges (Merrick et al. 16). For example, many states have now implemented Medicaid programs that provide funding for mental health treatment for children and adults. These programs provide families with direct financial assistance and access to care centers where they can receive counseling or other therapies at no cost beyond what is already paid by their insurance company (usually paid through private insurance).
Another factor is the unavailability of services. For instance, if there are not enough resources to help children who have been neglected, they may have no choice but to grow up without the social support they need to succeed in life. In addition, the absence of child protective services (CPS) is another factor that has led to the rise of child neglect (Waln). There are several ways that CPS can help prevent child neglect by providing services like foster care, medical care, or therapy for abused or neglected children. However, their absence has seen the number of child neglect on the rise.
Additionally, many factors contribute to a child’s overcoming their neglectful environment. In some cases, children from abusive homes may be more resilient than others because they have learned how to get through difficult times without getting hurt by their parents (Waln). Children raised in foster care have also learned how to cope with difficult situations and move forward with their lives despite their past trauma at home. They become independent young adults who do not rely on anyone else for support during adolescence or adulthood.
Measures employed to stop and prevent child neglect
Several measures can be employed to stop and prevent child neglect. Some of these measures include education and awareness. For instance, raising awareness about the issue of child neglect and the impact it can have on children can help prevent it from happening. This can be done through education programs for parents, caregivers, and other members of the community. Another measure is giving support to caregivers (Waln). Providing support and resources to caregivers, such as parenting classes and access to mental health services, can help prevent child neglect. Caregivers who are overwhelmed or struggling may be more likely to neglect their children, so it’s important to provide them with the support they need.
Consequently, protective services such as medical and foster care should be provided consistently. Child protective services agencies are responsible for investigating child neglect and abuse reports and providing support and services to families to help keep children safe. These agencies can help identify families at risk for neglect and provide support and services to help prevent it from happening. In addition, community involvement should be at all levels of society. Building strong, supportive communities can also help prevent child neglect (Waln). Members of the community can help families in need by providing them with resources and by reporting situations of suspected child maltreatment to the proper authorities. The last measure is employing legal interventions. In some cases, it may be necessary to involve the legal system to protect children from neglect. This can include court-ordered supervision or temporary custody of the child by a relative or other caregiver. It is important to remember that preventing child neglect requires a multi-faceted approach involving various strategies and interventions.
Ways in which a country’s current system can ensure that fewer Children Fall Victim to Neglect
There are several ways in which a country can ensure that fewer children fall victim to neglect. Some of these include: Implementing policies and laws that protect children from neglect and abuse. This includes laws that identify child neglect and establish punishments for their perpetrators. It can also include policies that remove children from abusive or neglectful situations and place them in foster care or other safe environments (Nalini). In addition, the country’s systems can provide support and resources to families. Often, neglect and abuse occur because families are struggling and do not have the resources to care for their children adequately. Providing families with access to financial assistance, parenting education, and mental health services can help prevent neglect and abuse.
Additionally, governments can increase awareness and education about child neglect and its effects. Raising awareness about the signs of neglect and abuse and teaching people how to report it can help ensure that more children are protected. This can be done through public campaigns, educational programs, and training for professionals who work with children. There is also the need to strengthen the child welfare system in all the country’s systems (Nalini). The child welfare system is critical in protecting children from neglect and abuse. Ensuring the system is well-funded, staffed with well-trained professionals, and has the resources to identify and intervene in neglect and abuse cases effectively can help reduce the number of children who fall victim to neglect. Lastly, it should ensure constant support and resources to foster care and adoptive families: Children who are removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse often end up in foster care or are placed for adoption. Providing support and resources to these families can help ensure that these children receive the care and attention they need to thrive.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Child neglect is a serious problem in the United States and can have serious consequences for the children involved. Individuals and communities must prevent and address child neglect to protect children and promote wellbeing. Neglect occurs when a kid is harmed in any way and can take the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse. Neglect of children is a major social issue that can lead to other negative outcomes, including abuse and abandonment. The results of a child’s education, not to mention their mental and emotional health, can suffer. If they lose their sense of connectedness to their parents, they may become more introverted and resistant to therapy for depression and substance abuse.
Recommendations
- Support organizations that prevent child abuse and neglect: Many organizations, such as child advocacy centers, work to prevent child abuse and neglect. Supporting these organizations financially or through volunteering can help ensure they have the necessary resources to continue their important work.
- Educate citizens and others about child abuse and neglect: It is important for people to understand the signs of child abuse and neglect and to know how to report it. Educating themselves and others about this issue can help raise awareness and encourage others to take action.
- Be a supportive and available resource for parents: Many parents who neglect their children may struggle with difficult circumstances, such as financial problems or mental health issues. Offering support and resources to these parents, such as access to counseling or financial assistance, can help reduce child neglect risk.
- Advocate for policies and legislation that protect children: Work to support policies and legislation that promote the wellbeing of children and protect them from abuse and neglect. This can include advocating for increased funding for child welfare programs or supporting laws that mandate the reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect.
- Get involved in the community: Consider getting involved in the local community to help address child abuse and neglect issues. This can include volunteering with organizations that work with children, participating in community events, or joining local advocacy groups.
Works Cited
Jones, David, and Paul Ramchandani. Child sexual abuse: Informing practice from research. CRC Press, 2019.
Maguire-Jack, Kathryn, and Sarah A. Font. “Community and individual risk factors for physical child abuse and child neglect: Variations by poverty status.” Child maltreatment, vol. 22, no. 3, 2017, pp. 215-226.
Merrick, Melissa T., et al. “Unpacking the impact of adverse childhood experiences on adult mental health.” Child abuse & neglect vol. 69, 2017, pp. 10-19.
Mills, Ryan, et al. “Cognitive and educational outcomes of maltreated and non-maltreated youth: A birth cohort study.” Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 53, no. 3, 2019, pp. 248-255.
Mulder, Tim M., et al. “Risk factors for child neglect: A meta-analytic review.” Child abuse & neglect vol. 77, 2018, pp. 198-210.
Nalini T. Impact of Child Abuse on Mental Health, e-book Ed, International Kindle Paperwhite, 2022.
Parasidis, Efthimios, and Douglas J. Opel. “Parental refusal of childhood vaccines and medical neglect laws.” American journal of public health vol. 107, no. 1, 2017, pp. 68-71.
Patil, Bharti, Sushmini Hegde, and Anisha Yaji. “Child abuse reporting: Role of dentist in India–A review.” Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology vol. 29, no. 1, 2017, pp. 74.
Waln K. Brown. Understanding Child Abuse & Neglect: A Guide for Victims, Concerned Parents & Family Members (Child Abuse and Neglect Book 1), e-book Ed. n.d.