Poverty and Parental Neglect
Sydney Blevins
American Public University
Abstract
Neglect, whether intentional or unintentional can be the downfall of children who are developing in impoverished circumstances. While some parents are simply not able to provide due to unemployment or underemployment, many unwanted children are neglected because their parent did not have the means to prevent them from being born. Overall, children who are neglected socially tend to be less fulfilled as adults and more unsatisfied with their lives in general.
Poverty and Parental Neglect The connection between poverty and parental neglect is one that is complicated, and encapsulates many different aspects. Poverty will influence …show more content…
Many people simply get pregnant on accident, and receive no education on how to be a parent. When two people are not ready to have a child, and are impoverished to the point of not being able to afford contraceptives, they will still have sex and therefore procreate. Without access to affordable contraceptives or abortion services, child neglect will continue to happen because of unwanted babies being born. Contrary to popular belief, even children who are put up for adoption are put into the foster care system until time of adoption. They do not immediately get a loving home, and remain unwanted until a family finally adopts the child. The experience of foster care alone can contribute to feelings of low self worth and isolation. In a longitudinal study conducted by psychologists in Prague, it was determined that “by age 23 these unwanted children showed a greater proneness to social problems, criminal activity, and had triple the amount of serious repeated offenses requiring custodial prison sentences. When questioned about their happiness and life-style they reported far more dissatisfaction, unhappiness, problems, and worries than the control children.” (Chamberlain,
Sydney Blevins
American Public University
Abstract
Neglect, whether intentional or unintentional can be the downfall of children who are developing in impoverished circumstances. While some parents are simply not able to provide due to unemployment or underemployment, many unwanted children are neglected because their parent did not have the means to prevent them from being born. Overall, children who are neglected socially tend to be less fulfilled as adults and more unsatisfied with their lives in general.
Poverty and Parental Neglect The connection between poverty and parental neglect is one that is complicated, and encapsulates many different aspects. Poverty will influence …show more content…
Many people simply get pregnant on accident, and receive no education on how to be a parent. When two people are not ready to have a child, and are impoverished to the point of not being able to afford contraceptives, they will still have sex and therefore procreate. Without access to affordable contraceptives or abortion services, child neglect will continue to happen because of unwanted babies being born. Contrary to popular belief, even children who are put up for adoption are put into the foster care system until time of adoption. They do not immediately get a loving home, and remain unwanted until a family finally adopts the child. The experience of foster care alone can contribute to feelings of low self worth and isolation. In a longitudinal study conducted by psychologists in Prague, it was determined that “by age 23 these unwanted children showed a greater proneness to social problems, criminal activity, and had triple the amount of serious repeated offenses requiring custodial prison sentences. When questioned about their happiness and life-style they reported far more dissatisfaction, unhappiness, problems, and worries than the control children.” (Chamberlain,