INDEX
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Neglect is the failure to protect a child from exposure to any kind of danger, or persistent failure to carry out important aspects of care. Neglect is widely recognised as the most common form of child maltreatment and involves serious deficiencies in parents' or caretakers' provision of attention, stimulation, emotional availability, food, clothing, shelter, hygiene, nutrition, supervision, medical care or education that may result in actual or potential harm to the child (Gaudin, 1993; Gaudin et aI., 1996; Black & Dubowitz, 1999; Crittenden, 1999; English, 1999; Zuravin, 1999; Iwaniec & McSherry, 2002).Because neglected children are not seen as frequently as is necessary for adequate child care and health supervision, their health problems may be recognised later, necessary medical treatment postponed or not given, and immunisations not given or delayed, all of which predispose children to poor health ( Johnson, 1993; Dubowitz, 1999). Neglect can also have deleterious effects on the management of chronic childhood health outcomes, many of which require adherence to demanding treatment regimens to ensure optimal health. Neglected children have been shown to have behavioural problems and conduct disorders, problems in social relationships and less competent behaviour. They stand out among their peers for their diminished self-esteem, lack of confidence, general unhappiness and low school achievement (Kendall-Tackett & Eckenrode, 1996; Kendall-Tackett, 1997). They tend to be passive and exhibit some of the characteristics of learned helplessness, although angry outbursts and noncompliance are also characteristic of neglected children. Some have suggested that neglect is more likely to victimise younger children than adolescents because older children are less exclusively dependent on their caregivers for the physical, nutritional, medical and other kinds of care they need (Mraovich & Wilson, 1999). However, older children who are abandoned and adolescents who are literally thrown out of their homes constitute an increasing concern among the population of neglected children (Browne & Falshaw, 1998)._______________________________________________________ from Iwaniec,1994)
Keeping physical distance (not picking up, sitting on the lap, cuddling, touching, etc.) Never satisfied with the child's performance Never showing pleasure in child's achievement (praising) Punitive discipline, smacking for minor misbehaviour, putting child to different room for long Never playing or including the child in different activities Distancing the child from the rest of the family and peer group Passive neglect (physical and emotional) Child is not dressed properly Child is not washed, bathed, is dirty and smelly Lack of routine in sleeping, eating, etc. Child is not fed regularly or given right food Lack of adequate protection (fire, water, dangerous objects) Child is left alone Not responding to child's signals of distress Lack of stimulation (picking up, talking to, playing with) _______________________________________________________ Intervention in cases of physical neglect may focus on economic assistance to families and also in parent training or parental education programmes. Quite often emotional abuse and neglect are referred to together and yet they are different in nature, both as far as parental behaviour is concerned and the impact on the child (see Table 4). Emotional abuse involves active parental hostility, inducing pain, anxiety and fear in the child, whereas neglect refers to passive omission of parental psychological nurturing, availability, lack of interest in the child, and absence of attention and stimulation. |
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