ABSTRACT
As noted in Chapter Two, neglectful families can be found in all ethnic groups. The Department of Health and Human Services reported that in 2001 an estimated 903,000 children in the United States were victims of abuse or neglect. The majority of those cases involved neglect (USDHHS, 2003). While families who neglect their children come from various cultural and religious backgrounds, all have in common the suffering of children and disruptions in family life. Families also suffer from intrusions by community or governmental services in the event of at-risk and/or severe cases.
