Child Neglect: What it is and How to Spot It

Child neglect is an aspect of child abuse, it is when a child is being disregarded whether intentionally or unintentionally. When a child is neglected the necessities needed to healthily thrive are not granted. Neglect can take the form of physical ,mental and emotional abuse. The child who is neglected at a young age can grow into an adult with many problems such as severe mistrust, depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug use. Not all children who have been neglected end up with any of the problems mentioned above. Neglected children may have a hard time building relationships, and in many cases the affects of neglect as a child can be passed onto the neglected child's own children, and this pattern can repeat itself.

In some cases where parents are stressed and overburdened they may unintentionally neglect their children in other instances some parents may have mental deficiencies that get in the way of properly caring for their children and some parents may just feel fed up, unattached, or resentful towards their children and will purposefully neglect them.

When parents are stressed they may tend to raise their voice or push the child away and if this pattern persists it will turn into severe neglect. If a parent is very stressed it would be best for the parent to separate from the child and regroup. The parent should ask relatives, or close friends to watch the child for a bit, and then go out get some fresh air, relax, and calm down. It is best to talk to someone whether professional or related about the stress, having someone to talk to will reduce the parent's level of stress. The parent should always return to the child and politely apologize and then lovingly hug and kiss the child, the parent should express them self and explain to the child what happened for instance, " Oh, I am so sorry, mommy (daddy) is a bit stressed, and upset, I am not angry with you, I love you, I am sorry." This shows the child that the parent still loves and cares for them, and it also shows the child that the parent makes mistakes and gets upset as well.