ABSTRACT
Chapter One presented evidence that child neglect seriously injures and/or kills children at least as often as abuse. As reported earlier, 52% of children who died as a result of maltreatment between 1993 and 1995 were victims of child neglect (Lung & Daro, as reported in Bonner et al., 1999). Evidence also was presented that indicates that neglect is the most prevalent type of child maltreatment (AAPC, 1986; AHA, 1988; Emery & Laumann-Billings, 1998; Nelson & Landsman, 1992; Petit & Curtis, 1997; Petit et al., 1999; Rose & Meezan, 1993; Sedlak & Broadhurst, 1996; Smith, 1998; Stein, 1984; Trocme et al., 1995; Wolock & Horowitz, 1984). It has been asserted that there is a strong association between child neglect and poverty, indicating that, while poverty cannot be said to cause child neglect, it is the predominant risk factor (Bath & Haapala, 1992; Berry, 1992; Daro, 1988; DiLeonardi, 1993; Emery & Laumann-Billings, 1998; Garbarino & Crouter, 1978; Giovannoni & Billingsley, 1974; Hampton, 1987; Horowitz & Wolock 1981; Jones, 1987; Kelleher et al., 1994; Knudsen, 1992; Landsman et al., 1992; Martin & Walters, 1982; Nelson et al., 1990; Nelson & Landsman, 1992; Pelton, 1978, 1981; Pettigrew, 1986; Trocme et al., 1995; Wolock & Horowitz, 1979; Young, 1964). It is clear-children who grow up in poverty are at higher risk for neglect than those who do not. To the extent that poverty is the responsibility of the society in which children live, society can be said to be neglectful in not providing the resources that reduce risks for children. This chapter will explore the relationship between poverty and child neglect, and the resultant implications for research, policy, and practice.
