Parental Negligence: Big Mistakes Parents Make

Though experts differ on the minimum levels of care and attention children of various ages need, both professionals and the general public acknowledge that many kids don't get adequate care. One widely accepted definition considers child neglect a condition in which a caretaker allows a child to experience avoidable suffering or does not provide for the physical, intellectual, or emotional needs of the child.

Physical Neglect

In physical neglect, a parent or caregiver endangers a child by not providing adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. Physical neglect includes abandonment, expulsion, inadequate supervision, a refusal to provide medical care or a delay in obtaining needed medical care that results in serious health problem for the child. A lack of attention to dangers such as driving with the child while intoxicated, leaving the child alone in a car for long periods of time, and not providing adequate nutrition, clothing, and hygiene also constitute physical neglect.

Educational Neglect

Educational neglect threatens a child's normal psychological growth, development, and acquisition of basic life skills. It occurs when a parent or caregiver does not enroll a child of mandatory age in school, provide home schooling, or if needed, proper special education training. Parents or caregivers are also negligent if they do not obtain remedial educational services recommended by authorities or treatment for diagnosed learning disorders.

Emotional Neglect

A parent or caregiver's emotional neglect of a child often leads to the child developing a poor self image, drug or alcohol abuse, destructive behavior, and even suicidal tendencies. Emotional neglect includes spousal abuse or other domestic violence in front of the child, giving a minor drugs or alcohol, ignoring a child's need for nurturing and protection, rejecting the child by refusing to show affection, belittling the child, threatening the child with severe punishment, or involving the child in illegal or immoral behavior.

Patterns of Neglect

The most common type of neglect is physical neglect due to poor housing, lack of sufficient nutrition, inadequate clothing, and a disturbing lack of attention to personal hygiene. This is followed by inadequate supervision, and failure or delay in obtaining needed health care. The opinion of parents and caregivers on the age at which children can be left on their own or in the care of an older child varies widely among various ethnic groups. 

Causes of Neglect

Though most impoverished families provide well for their children, poverty has been identified as a clear factor in child neglect. A lack of income has been linked to inadequate housing, poor nutrition, a lack of clothing, and insufficient medical care. Alcohol and drug abuse can lead to abandonment, expulsion, lack of supervision, and other forms of physical and emotional neglect. A lack of education or knowledge on the caretaker's part leads to neglect of avoidable hazards in the home. Sometimes religious or cultural beliefs cause parents to refuse to allow their children to obtain needed medical treatment.

If you witness or suspect child neglect in any form, report it to the child protective services agency in your area. Childcare professionals are always required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect, and in many states, citizens are required to report it as well.

This article was provided by Kelly Elder, health-conscious live-in nanny. If you know anyone who needs criminal defense in violent crime-based accusations and charges –such as parental negligence-- Kelly urges you to seek legal counsel.