What is Neglect?

Neglect is a parent's (or caregiver's failure to give the child food, clothing hygiene, medical care and/or supervision.

May be signs of a neglected child:

• Lack of adult supervision.

• The child or his or her clothing is extremely dirty.

• The child falls asleep in class.

• Frequent school absences or tardiness.

• Unmet medical needs.

• Not dressed appropriately for the weather.

• The child complains of hunger and has lost weight.

• The child reports that there is often no adult at home.

Neglect Risk Factors

There is a difference between a caregiver's inability to provide the needed care due to illness, cultural beliefs or lack of money and his or her failure or refusal to provide care.

The following are caregiver risk factors for neglect:

• Drug or alcohol abuse.

• Bad relationships.

• Immaturity

• Unrealistic expectations about child's behavior and abilities.

• Depression.

• Lack of parenting skills.

• Parent's own negative childhood experiences.

• Lack of support for friends and family.

The Link Between Substance Abuse and Neglect

Substance abuse by parents plays a major part in child protection referrals.  Substance abuse negatively affects the ability of parents to love and car for their child.  It may cause parents to be less responsive to their children's needs.  Substance abuse may shorten the parents' patience or cause them to use poor judgment.  Parents may use money for alcohol or drugs instead of food, clothing and other basic needs.  Children of substance abusing parents may be as risk of harm because their parents are manufacturing, selling or using drugs.

Steps to Keep Your Child Safe

• To avoid choking, keep all small objects out of reach of young children.

• Wash dishes and properly store food to avoid poisoning and illness.

• Make sure electrical, curtain and window blind cords are out of a young child's reach.

• Dispose of dirty diapers properly and in a timely manner.

• Put garbage in containers, away from young children.

• If pets are kept in the house, clean up after them.

• Never leave young children alone in a bathtub, not even for a second.  Keep the toilet lid down and keep cleaning buckets away from toddlers.  A child can drown in just a few inches of water.

• Keep water heater set at 120 degrees or less.  Test the water temperature with your hand and wrist before bathing a child.

• Keep matches, medications and cleaning supplies out of reach of young children.

• Cover all electrical outlets at home with safety covers.

• Keep guns unloaded and locked away from children.  Teach children to get sway and tell a trusted adult if they see an unsupervised child with a gun.

• Turn the handles of pots on a stove in toward the stove, so that they are not sticking out where a young child can grab them.  Never carry a baby or child and a hot beverage at the same time.

Common Sense Tips for Raising a Happy Child

• Express love and affection for your child.

• Express personal concern for your child's health.

• Supply necessary food, clothing and medical care.

• Provide an adequate home.

• Encourage and support your child in school.

• Provide social and moral guidance and be a positive role model for your child.

More Tips for Parents and Other Caregivers

Find out more about what children need in order to grow up strong, healthy and feeling good about themselves.  

Talk things over with someone you trust, perhaps a friend, minister, doctor, nurse or neighbor.  It's hard to care for others when you're tired and depressed.  Having someone who will listen and not judge can make a difference in how well you are able to cope.

Develop a support network.  Friends and neighbors can help make life easier by watching each other's children when someone needs to run an errand; carpooling; passing along clothing, toys and household items that are no longer needed; and sharing experiences (for instance, what to do for colic or how to toilet train).

Where to Go for More Information

Caring for children isn't an easy job.  It takes energy and a lot of patience.  But there are many public and private agencies that can help you.