Babies, how can one not love them, with their chubby cheeks, big eyes, and their simple innocence? Although most people feel this way, there are a small but growing number of people who cannot, or are not willing to take proper care of a child. There are many factors that contribute to this form of abuse known as neglect in children; such factors may be environmental, physical, or emotional. This unwillingness to care for a child is not only looked down upon in humanity, but is an immensely important part in developing the emotions one needs to function on a societal level. Unfortunately, it is the child who receives the damaging consequences. Even when a child has its primary needs met such as: food, water, shelter, and clothing there is still another important requirement love. Love and nurturing are necessary. Some of the characteristics that love and bonding help to develop are self-reliance, how to cope with stress and frustration, attainment of full intellectual potential, and many other fundamental developments (Magid and Mckelvey, 59). Children who receive love and physical contact from a paternal figure are physically and emotionally healthier then those who are deprived of this vital need to obtain full potential as an adult.
There are several different types of abuse. Some of the most common forms are emotional/psychological abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. All these different forms of abuse are emotionally and physically scaring to children. Emotional abuse is constant criticism, rejection and ignorance the child from a parental figure. This form of abuse is hard to prove, therefore is rarely reported and documented. Physical abuse is any injury inflicted upon a child that was not an accident, or of the child's own cause. This is the easiest form of abuse to detect. Caregivers often make up stories to tell friends and family in order to hide the abuse they inflict upon their children.