This paper explores the numerous effects neglect has on a child's development. If a child lacks the necessary attachment and stimulation during the critical first years, they will have profound developmental issues throughout life. Possibly the most important aspects that are affected by neglect are the brain and a child's social development. Looking into the case of the Romanian orphans, readers will be able to see the harsh consequences. Severe neglect is child abuse that often goes unnoticed and is hard to reverse. By understanding the implications of neglect, we can intervene earlier in order to prevent severe cases from becoming irrevocable.
Keywords: neglect, attachment, development
Introduction
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Although severe neglect isn't highly prevalent in today's society, it is still an important issue to be discussed. Without knowledge of the outcomes, there will be no motivation to intervene on the child's behalf.
Review of Literature
Impact of Neglect on the Brain In many cases of neglect, there has been an association with the brain failing to form appropriately. This causes impaired physical, mental, and emotional development (DePanfilis, 2006). A child's brain learns to adapt to a less than positive environment and this stunts the process of normal development. The brains of neglected children are not integrated and this causes difficulties in emotional, social, and cognitive development. The sensitive period, during the first two years of life, is a critical time in which brain activity faces severe psychosocial deprivation if faced with neglect and is unlikely to be recovered (Vanderwert, Marshall, Nelson III, Zeanah & Fox, 2010). Children who have experienced neglect in multiple areas, global neglect, may have significantly smaller brains than the norm. This indicates they have fewer neurological connections, leading to lifelong intellectual disadvantages (DePanfilis, 2006). Neglected children often have lower IQ's and extreme difficulties in learning new things. Lack of intellectual stimulation causes deficits in language development. Ultimately, neglect causes damages to the brain
Neglect has been described as the “most serious type of child maltreatment and the least understood” (Crittenden 1999: 67). It is the most common reason for inclusion on the child protection register in the UK. In the year ending 31st March 2006, 43 per cent of child protection registrations in England related to children considered to be at risk of neglect (Source: DfES, 2006)
With neglect the child may become delinquent, turn to alcohol/drugs, steal, or develop neurotic traits like sleeping disorders. They may also exhibit extreme behavior patterns like infantile or adult like behavior. Some indicators of neglect may be consistent hunger, poor hygiene, truancy, abandonment, and a lack of physical development.
In most cases, child neglect can be very difficult to indicate especially if the child never discusses his or her living situation due to the fact that he or she is too young to express feelings unless he or she is being closely observed. According to Crosson-Tower (2010), “… neglect is less dramatic than the
The effects this abandonment has on a child are ever lasting and may not go away with therapy or being adopted. According to the article "The Neglect Of Child Neglect: A Meta-Analytic Review Of The Prevalence Of Neglect" it states, “Infancy is recognized as the period between the second postnatal month and two years, previous to the mid- childhood. In humans the period is extremely sensitive to maternal investment mother dependence for survival, and is characterized by rapid neural growth” (Stoltenborgh, Bakermans-Kranenburg, Ijzendoorn). The child develops neurological damage due to being left by the person who was supposed to care and protect them throughout their life.
Neglected children can be “orphans and unwanted or illegitimate children” (Cloninger, 2008). They tend no one will sustain them and life tasks are difficult. However, “parental neglect can a lead a child to adopt a pampered style of life” (Cloninger, 2008), which is a imaginary purpose rather than have been pampered in their life.
Conclusion A. Restatement of the thesis In a nutshell, there are three impacts of child neglect that would experiences by children which is physical health, emotional feeling and intellectual development B. Suggestions/ recommendations 1. There are some strategies that should be take such as public awareness campaigns, for example posters and brochures that promote healthy parenting, how to report suspected neglect, and how to keep children in a safety
The oppressed in our society also include individuals who have suffered abuse and neglect. Hundreds of thousands of children have been placed in the foster care system due to an array of maltreatment (Child Welfare). Children who are neglected do not experience the same developmental advantages as children raised in a nurturing environment. Research has shown that neglect in the early years of life affects a child’s brain development (Hamilton). Studies have also shown that the impact of neglect may become more severe as a child grows older and eventually have lasting effects on intellectual, behavioral, social, and cognitive development (DePanfilis). Acknowledging the significance of
The article discusses the impact that neglect has on a child’s developmental stages. In many cases children are not identified as neglected until they enter school. The researchers performed a study with children who have developmental issues and ranged in ages from 5-14. The study proved that there is a correlation between children with developmental issues, low self-esteem, and
Not all children can or will be negatively affected by neglect – they are essentially resilient. Being resilient means “being able to recover easily from difficult circumstances, bounce back and persevere, able to adjust to misfortune, and are adaptable” (McCoy & Keen, 2014, p. 230). Unfortunately, not every child can be resilient and the consequences can severely impact the child growing up. When determining whether a child will be resilient or not, it is important to look at the duration of the neglect as well as the severity (McCoy & Keen, 2014, p. 114). “A child’s experience of abuse and neglect during their developmental years poses a negative effect, not only physically, but also psychologically… (Gibb & Abela, 2008; Stirling & Amaya-Jackson, 2008)” (Ban, J., & Oh, I., 2016).
The article states that an estimate of 1,291 children in the United States died in 2000 as a result of maltreatment, and that 45 percent was due to child neglect. Neglect also leads to the child turning into an outcast among his society. Classmates will soon notice the victim's deficiency compared to them, and therefore, use him or her as a source of bullying; this has an effect on his or her social life as well.
The immeasurable ramifications of infant neglect stems from more than just the neglect itself. Although, society finds neglect inexcusable there are risk factors that put some infants in greater danger than others, disparities can start before birth and others are historical predisposition, learning disorders, socio-economic status and lack of knowledge ” (Bartlett, Raskin, Kotake, Nearing, & Eaterbrooks,2014).
There are many risk factors for whether or not a child will experience neglect. These can include lower maternal age, lower maternal education, maternal depression and the child’s temperament (Kotch et al 1995). Family risk factors include whether or not the parents are married and the size of the family (Kotch et al 1995). Sociodemographic risks include living in poverty, parental unemployment, the neighborhood, parental beliefs on punishment, parents’ attitudes toward the child (ren), and their overall skills as parents (Kotch et al 1995). With the threat of lifelong consequences it is essential to consider any necessary prevention and intervention efforts that prove to be successful not only in the immediate
With child abuse and neglect being so prevalent globally, it is important to recognize why these types of maltreatment occur and is a relevant topic for all to explore. Many are interested in how child abuse and neglect affect the individuals who are victims as well as the use and efficacy of treatment procedures. Child abuse has serious physical and psycho-social consequences which adversely affect the health and overall well-being of a child. There are long-term consequences of experiencing these forms of maltreatment. Awareness and understanding needs to be brought to this devastatingly common crisis and the advancement of child abuse and neglect prevention needs to be encouraged.
It is understood that the concerns of child neglect are not always priorities of some countries as many tend to overlook the fact that child neglect is real, that it is possible, that it is present among the children of their country. Countries have the tendency to define child abuse and neglect based on local definitions, traditions, cultures, politics and priorities. If forms of child abuse and neglect go unheard of or unrecognized by a society, the need for providing a valid definition of child maltreatment, or conducting necessary research based on the topic would not come into effect or taken into account.
I have learned many things about abuse, including neglect. Neglect is classified as abuse because of the damage it causes to the neglected child. For example, being left alone at home can very dangerous, especially for young children. There is also the threat of a child not being treated of illnesses that could prove permanently damaging, or even deadly. Also, if other forms of abuse are happening, a neglected child would be much less likely to speak up about it, preventing that from being stopped as well. Because of this, it is very important to be aware of the signs of neglect, and if you notice something is off, talk to the child, and if neglect is happening, talk to the parents to try and stop it, or if it continues, contact the police.