The Physical Signs of Neglect
Most anyone in our society today would be able to readily recognize the more telltale signs of child abuse: the bruises and scrapes, the repeated unexplained absences from school, the mysterious long sleeves and pants during warming months.
While increased awareness of the issue of child abuse has certainly been a positive development, many people remain sadly unaware of the related problem of neglect. The absence of basic points of human care, both physical and emotional, can have lasting consequences on every aspect of a child’s development.
Physical Needs
The legal conception of neglect takes into account that a deficiency in certain standards of a child’s environment can have just as negative an impact as more “active” abuse. Some of the fundamental physical needs that can be neglected by a parent or guardian include:
- Proper Nutrition – Food is obviously an essential part of our daily lives. For children, a diet based around a healthy balance of protein, vegetables, fruit, cereals, and whole grains plays a key role in every aspect of development.
- Clothing – One of the easier signs of a situation of neglect involves the obvious lack of appropriate clothing. For example, children who go about without boots, jackets, and other adequate items of clothing during winter months in colder climates may be in jeopardy.
- Shelter and environment – Having a solid roof over our heads is something that many of us take for granted. Unfortunately, millions of children across the nation go without this crucial component every night.
Contact Us
For more information on how concerns of physical neglect might play into your divorce or child custody case, contact an experienced San Jose divorce lawyer at the offices of Daniel Jensen, S.C. today by calling 408-296-4100.
