Understanding Child Neglect And Its Consequences On Well Being Of Children.

One of the most prevalent types of child abuse is child neglect. India is a home to the largest child population in the world, with almost 41 per cent of the total population under eighteen years of age. But in this scenario, According to the Times of India 2023, 90% of children are abused in one way or the other before they attain the age of 18. The health and security of the country's children is an integral part of nation's progress and development. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) define that child maltreatment as harm experienced by a children under the age of 18 years by an adult or child that is in the form of physical, sexual or emotional but can also involve a lack of love, care and attention. Child neglect is very common serious public health problem and it has adverse effects on childhood experiences. It affects the health, opportunity, and wellbeing of children in their later life. Any form of neglect of a child under the age of eighteen by a parent, caregiver, or any person acting in a custodial capacity is considered child neglect. The important contributing factors of child neglect are socio-economic conditions of the family, living arrangements and living with domestic violence, parental mental health and drug and alcohol use. The prevalence of child neglect can be reduced through creating awareness of their rights among the children, especially the right to protection, among parents and other stakeholders, must strictly follow the laws (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act) to punish those who abuse/exploit the children and take action to strengthen accountability on the part of government, NGOs and the civil society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]