Child Neglect Research Paper

Child abuse and neglect are similar, yet very different forms of maltreatment of a child. Child abuse is a non-accidental intent to cause harm to a child. This harm is usually that is caused by a parent, caregiver, or someone the child’s care is entrusted, although it is very common for children to be abused by strangers. On the other hand, Child neglect is simply failure to provide for a child’s basic needs.

Both can be subcategorized several different ways, although the end result is the same, the improper and illegal treatment care of a child. Child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, and verbal just to name a few. Neglect can include leaving a child without adequate supervision, nutrition, hygiene and clothing.

When comparing the

two it’s a losing battle across the board. Both child abuse and neglect leaves and lasting scars which may haunt the child for the rest of their lives. Because of this, most children who are abused themselves grow up to be abusers. This unconscious cycle of repeating of what they learned and experienced as a child. On another notes, some who experienced child abuse grow up to be loving, caring and nurturing of others because of what they have experienced as a child. Other factors that can contribute to child abuse include parents’ immaturity, lack of parenting skills, poor childhood experiences and social isolation, as well as frequent crisis situations, drug or alcohol problems and domestic violence.