Steemit Engagement Challenge (SEC) WK14:#1: Neglect in families, effects on kids

Pexel

An African proverb says that;

"A child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel it's warmth". From this quote, we can see the importance of supporting children, parental care, and providing for their needs. But when a child is neglected, the effects can be far reaching and long lasting even leading to destructive behavior.

But with the right support, a child can heal, feel loved and valued and move forward with resilience and strength.

Neglect of responsibilities or Parental Neglect is the failure of a parent to provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical care and supervision to their kids such that the child's health and well being is threatened. when the father and the mother fail to carry out their primary role in the family, it is termed neglect.

It is believed that as a father, his primary responsibility is to provide for his family while the mother's role is to care for the family. So in a situation whereby the father refuses to provide the basic needs of his wife and children that is neglect. Even If he performs one role and ignores the rest he still hasn't fulfilled his role in the family.

And on the mother's part, if she fails to care for her home and children, checking to see if they're fed and clothed, ensuring that they are well provided for, protecting them, and ensuring they are going to school as well; if she is nonchalant about all this, then that is her neglecting her responsibility.

Pexel

Even though I've not been neglected by my parents, I have seen 2 kids during my childhood been neglected by their parents. Although the mother is a young girl which happens to be their step mom, the dad issues mentally which seriously affected the care of his children. Since his new wife was pregnant, he cared more for her than his two little girls.

Those kids will go a day without food, even their clothing was rags and not enough to cover them.
And on top of the neglect, he will beat them mercilessly if they ever offended his wife. Since I was little then, I only saw the physical effect of that neglect to those girls, because they were so thin, malnourished and unkempt. But such condition would by no means have affected the mental stability of those kids and will affect them growing up.

Neglect can have devastating effects on children in a number of ways.
Some of the key effects of neglect on kids are that it causes;

• Physical health problems such as malnutrition, dehydration which eventually leads to sickness.

• It also causes emotional problems which in turns has a negative effect on their behavior leading to aggression, anxiety and depression.

• Educational Problems such as poor academic performance and loss of interest in school including unruly behavior

• It also affects their social life as they might find difficulty building lasting relationships with people.

Neglect can also lead to attachment issues, low self worth, and poor impulse control. Neglected children may have trouble regulating their emotions, which can lead to impulsive or entitlement behavior. Some children who have experienced neglect may also have difficulty trusting others. Overtime, as these effects are far reaching , they can have serious consequences and a lasting impact on the child's wellbeing and development.

I would tell parents who are neglecting their responsibilities towards their children to think about how their actions are affecting their kids. Then they should try to prioritize their children's needs and wellbeing because those kids are their primary responsibility. They should take steps to improve their parenting and they can do this by making small changes in their kids lives because these can make a big difference.

Pexel

And they can also seek out support from friends, family or professionals. The progress may be slow but each progress should be celebrated no matter how small and they should be patient in order to help their kids feel loved and supported.

I would tell these kids that; First and foremost, I want them to know that it is not their fault. And their parents actions towards them are not a reflection of them or their worth. It is also important to know that they're not alone. There are people who can help and support them like their teachers, friends or a school counselor.

I would tell them that they're important and they matter. They should please take care of themselves and do things that make them happy even when it's hard. And always remember that even though things may be difficult right now, there is hope. Better days are ahead. It is important for them to hold on to hope and believe that things will get better.

They can't control what their parents do, but they can control how they respond and how they take care of themselves.And they deserve to be happy, loved and cared for.

"Neglect can have profound effects on children, but there are ways to heal and move forward. It's important to find support, practice self-care, and work towards a brighter future. No matter what they've been through, or who their parents are, every kid deserves to be happy and loved."