Define and distinguish between child abuse and child neglect. In addition, identify and define the various types of child abuse and neglect.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Child neglect occurs when a parent or caretaker of the child does not provide the property or necessary support, education, medical, or other remedial care that are required by a given state’s law, including food, shelter, and clothing. Child neglect is typically divided into three types: physical, emotional, and educational. Physical neglect includes abandonment, the expulsion of the child from the home, failure to seek or excessive delay in seeking medical care for the child, inadequate supervision, and inadequate food, clothing, and shelter. Emotional neglect includes inadequate nurturing or affection, allowing the child to engage in inappropriate or illegal behavior such as drug or alcohol use, and ignoring a child’s basic emotional needs. Educational neglect occurs when a parent or teacher permits chronic truancy or simply ignores the educational and/or special needs of a child. Child abuse occurs when a child is maltreated by a parent, an immediate family member, or any person responsible for the child’s welfare. Child abuse can be divided into three types: physical abuse, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse. Physical abuse can be defined as any physical acts that cause or can cause physical injury to a child. Psychological abuse is sometimes referred to as emotional abuse and includes actions or the omission of actions by parents and other caregivers that could cause the child to have serious behavioral, emotional, or mental impairments. Sexual abuse of a youth consists of any sexual contact or attempted sexual contact that occurs between an adult and a child.