Child Abuse and Neglect (page 3)

Every year, hundreds of thousands of children throughout the United States experience abuse and neglect. This is a tragedy that can happen anywhere, affects all of us and has severe consequences.

What is child abuse?

Child abuse is usually repeated mistreatment or neglect of a child by parents or other guardians resulting in injury or harm. There are three types. Physical abuse is harmful acts directed at children, including shaking, beating, burning or any other non-accidental injury. Severe abuse may result in major injury, permanent physical or developmental damage, or even death. Sexual abuse consists of a range of sexual behavior, including fondling and masturbation. It can also involve children in pornography. Emotional abuse includes verbal assault, blaming, criticizing, belittling, rejecting a child, or constantly treating siblings unequally. Emotional abuse causes harm to a child’s psychological capacity, emotional stability and social competence.

What is child neglect?

Neglect is the failure to meet a child’s basic needs. There are four types. Physical neglect is inadequate and/or unsafe supervision of a child. Medical neglect is failure to seek needed medical attention for a child and withholding of medically indicated treatment including appropriate nutrition, hydration and medication. Educational neglect is failure to abide by state laws regarding children’s compulsory education. Emotional neglect is ignoring a child’s social-emotional developmental needs.

Why do parents abuse their children?

It is difficult to imagine that any person would intentionally harm a child. Many times physical abuse is a result of inappropriate or excessive physical discipline and lack of awareness of the magnitude of force applied. People who were victims of abuse themselves are also more likely to be abusive too. For them it is simply the way they were raised and the only childrearing practice they are familiar with.

Lack of parenting knowledge, unrealistic expectations of children, frequent family crises, poverty, physical disabilities, stress, lack of community support systems, substance abuse, mental health problems and domestic and other violence in the household are risk factors contributing to child abuse and neglect.