Short Answer - Child Welfare
1. Define Neglect and discuss its distinction from Abuse. List and discuss at least 4 ways a child might be neglected. Explain some of the reasons that contribute to parents neglecting their children.
The main difference between neglect and abuse is that neglect involves lack of caring or nurturing of a child. A parent is neglectful because he/she is not doing something to/for the child that is usually vital for the child’s wellbeing and growth. A child can be neglected by:
1) Not being shown even the most basic forms of love and affection. If the parent never hugs the child or expresses his/her love for the child, the parent is providing a loving environment for the child to grow up in and will often have issues related later in life.
2) The parent is not providing a safe home for the child to live in. Safety is important and if a parent is raising a child in unliveable conditions or in a home that is dangerous to a child, the parent is being neglectful.
3) A child can be considered neglected if the parent does not have the child enrolled in school or if the child is enrolled but is not actively attending school.
4) Health is important for the growth process of a child. By not feeding the child nutritional food or making sure the child is receiving appropriate medical attention, the child could develop a disease or illness.
Like we talked about in class, every parent has potentially been neglectful to a small degree at some point, but there is a point at which the level of neglect can be harmful to the child. Some reasons that could contribute to a parent being neglectful is that 1) a parent may not know what is necessary to raise a child, 2) the parent is too occupied with working that there is little time for caring for the child, 3) the parent is addicted to drugs or alcohol, or 4) the parents income cannot support a child and his/her needs.
2. Abuse is a difficult, yet important topic in the subject of Child Welfare. List and discuss the
The main difference between neglect and abuse is that neglect involves lack of caring or nurturing of a child. A parent is neglectful because he/she is not doing something to/for the child that is usually vital for the child’s wellbeing and growth. A child can be neglected by:
1) Not being shown even the most basic forms of love and affection. If the parent never hugs the child or expresses his/her love for the child, the parent is providing a loving environment for the child to grow up in and will often have issues related later in life.
2) The parent is not providing a safe home for the child to live in. Safety is important and if a parent is raising a child in unliveable conditions or in a home that is dangerous to a child, the parent is being neglectful.
3) A child can be considered neglected if the parent does not have the child enrolled in school or if the child is enrolled but is not actively attending school.
4) Health is important for the growth process of a child. By not feeding the child nutritional food or making sure the child is receiving appropriate medical attention, the child could develop a disease or illness.
Like we talked about in class, every parent has potentially been neglectful to a small degree at some point, but there is a point at which the level of neglect can be harmful to the child. Some reasons that could contribute to a parent being neglectful is that 1) a parent may not know what is necessary to raise a child, 2) the parent is too occupied with working that there is little time for caring for the child, 3) the parent is addicted to drugs or alcohol, or 4) the parents income cannot support a child and his/her needs.
2. Abuse is a difficult, yet important topic in the subject of Child Welfare. List and discuss the