Child physical abuse and neglect

Abstract

Adults in a parental role unquestionably play a vital part in their children’s lives. The parent-child relationship can affect a child’s mental, emotional, and physical health (Shaw, Krause, Chatters, Connell, & Ingersoll-Dayton, 2004). In this important role, parents or parental guardians have the constitutional liberty to decide how they will raise their children (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2003). However, they are legally held to a certain standard when it comes to the protection, safety, and well-being of the child (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2011). When this legal responsibility is not sufficiently met, serious legal, social, and family consequences typically result, impacting the parent, the child, and family relationships.