Abuse and Neglected Children and placement parents or foster homes

Abuse and Neglected Children and placement parents or foster homes

Introduction

The family is the basic environment in which mankind lives. Especially, optimal environment is important for the growth and development of a child. Right to care is one of the inherent rights guaranteed both by the Convention on the Rights of Child and by the constitutions of the various nations. Unfortunately, not always the natural family (biological) is able to properly fulfill its role. However, alarming cases of child abuse and neglect compels Family Court to intervene, and sometimes even the prosecutor in exercising of parental authority of minors to foster care of biologically unrelated parents. Especially for most of the younger children, adoption and foster family are the two most common alternative forms of family care and education in practice.

Discussion

Child abuse in the world remains a growing and serious issue. Although media show tragic and extreme cases of abuse, many children live in circumstances of less newsworthy, but equally alarming. The average case is reported of child abuse every 10 seconds. The most recent national study conducted by the government said that in 2003 there were more than 2.9 million reports of suspected cases of child abuse to the child protection services. However, it is estimated that the actual incidence of abuse and neglect is three times the number that is reported to the authorities. Per day more than 4 children die because of child abuse in the home. The types of abuse that are reported include: sexual abuse (10%), physical abuse (19%), medical abuse (2%), psychological abuse (5%), neglect (61%), and other (17%). The consequences for children and families involved and to society are incalculable (Smith 2011).

Any adverse conditions present in the biological family makes the parents to devoid from properly fulfilling their duties towards children. Family becomes dysfunctional, thus reducing or even making it impossible to achieve an adequate level of education; thus fleshing out the life aspirations of children and resulting in lack of intellectual development opportunity due to improper communication patterns to perform social roles. In the children of such families, there is no sense of security, proper communication, which results in the formation of educational difficulties.

These failures are the main cause of children and youth who are placed in residential institutions, rehabilitation centers, foster care, and support centers. Foster serves as compensation for the family environment, with the aim of ensuring the conditions for education for children deprived of parental care. The foster family is able to satisfy the need of attachment and belonging for a small child, and is the most effective way to help the child by creating optimal conditions for education and development, as close to the natural environment. In recent years, there has been an increase threats to family life, layering social problems associated with poverty, unemployment, disability, domestic violence, helplessness in matters of care and education. Therefore, it is important to the prevention and care of the child directly in the ...