Introduction
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC (2022) explains that child neglect and abuse are critical public health issues, as well as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that can have long-term consequences on the well-being, opportunity, and health of an individual. As a public health issue, the need to address neglect and abuse has become necessary as the two aspects affect the biological, social, and psychological development of children. Besides, childhood neglect and abuse have been linked to several issues later in adulthood. For example, in the United States, one in seven kids has experienced some form of neglect or abuse in the previous year, something that leads to adverse effects such as mental illnesses. People from low socioeconomic statuses have been implicated by neglect and abuse more than those in affluent households. The stress presented by poverty means that parents will focus on aspects such as income generation and, in the process, neglecting the children. At the same time, cases of abuse are promoted by stressful environments, unlike kids whose parents are well-off. The paper will discuss the biological, psychological, and social consequences of childhood abuse and neglect for kids aged between 6 and 12 years.
Social Issue: Childhood Abuse and Neglect
The WHO (World Health Organization) states that child neglect and abuse is exploitation, maltreatment or sexual abuse that results in potential or actual harm to kids (Wadji et al., 2023). This affects a child’s dignity and health development to the extent that it leads to behavioural challenges, among other consequences. There are different kinds of abuse and neglect, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse (Lecroy & Williams, 2009). Neglect mainly entails failing to meet a child’s basic emotional and physical needs and includes actions such as giving the child inadequate education, protection, health care, and supervision. As per Lecroy and Williams, the most common forms of psychological abuse these kids are exposed to are humiliation, verbal abuse, as well as any act that terrorizes or scares them, which can later translate to mental illnesses like anxiety and depression.
According to Gonzalez & McCall (2017), infants below the age of 12 from all socioeconomic groups, ethnicities, and races are affected by child neglect and abuse, with adolescents and boys the typical victims. Gonzalez and McCall further assert that, although infants (below the age of 2 years) are more likely to die from child neglect and abuse, several risk factors increase morbidity and mortality rates for children aged six years and older. Individual-level factors such as the disability of the child, having an unmarried mother, parents’ depression, and maternal smoking have been associated with higher rates of child neglect and abuse. At the familial level, having more than one sibling at home and domestic violence have been linked with increasing risks of child abuse and neglect. Since societies enforce the expected baseline behavioural standards and norms, parents should adhere to such requirements to avoid child abuse and neglect (Jennissen et al., 2018). In the research, 95% of the participants reported that a child who should be safely left at home is 13 (p. 56). Therefore, when any kid below that age has been left alone at home, this is a form of child neglect and abuse.
A related study conducted by Ayaya et al. (2021) also revealed that, in the past six months, 47 per cent of the kids had experienced one form of abuse. Specifically, 32 per cent of the participants reported they experienced emotional abuse, 39% physical abuse, and 18% sexual abuse. The results of this study show that all forms of child abuse and neglect are common worldwide and in all societies. Similarly, Parkinson et al. (2017) reported that the relationship between neglected kids and their parents is characterized by inadequate exchange of information between the two, lack of emotional warmth, absence of response by parents to their children’s requests, and increased demands by parents to their children.
Biological
Children’s understanding of concepts and the environments increases between the ages of 6 and 12 (school-age). As the children attempt to build their coordination, strengths, and confidence, understanding several concepts and activities is needed to lay a foundation for healthy lifestyles (Villa, 2021). Villa asserts that, although children develop at different paces, most of them gain more control over the activities they engage in. The average physical growth for these kids involves an increase in height and weight until puberty. At the average age of 11, girls will start experiencing signs of puberty, including menstrual periods and growth of breasts.
In contrast, at 12, most boys will experience signs such as a muscular appearance and a more resounding voice. It is also normal for puberty to start at the ages of between 8 and 13 for girls and 9 to 14 for boys. At this stage, typical kids also begin having feelings regarding their growth and appearance. As kids become sensitive to the changes in their bodies, girls are worried about being “too big,” while boys are concerned about being too short about their peers.
However, for kids who have experienced neglect and abuse, their biological development can differ from those of typical children (Colich et al., 2020). According to Colich, the body is usually timed to ensure that developmental and physical changes occur in tandem. In contrast, the kids experience physical changes; their psychology has also grown to accommodate and cope with the contexts. At the same time, childhood neglect and abuse have been associated with stress and other issues as kids mature into the puberty stage (Noll et al., 2017). Thus, high-stress situations like sexual abuse experiences are likely to lead to high-stress hormones. These hormones will jump-start puberty ahead of its biological timeline since the physical maturation has surpassed the psychosocial development.
Previous studies have linked childhood sexual abuse to accelerated maturation and maladaptation (Gonzalez, 2013). Gonzalez writes that scientific evidence has demonstrated how early adverse experiences like childhood abuse and neglect become ‘biologically embedded’ into several systems, altering neuroendocrine responses to stress, brain function, and the functioning of the immune system. By age 6, some children tend to have high levels of emotional sensitivity, while others cut back on any meltdowns and tantrums (Miller et al., 2023). Those who have high levels of emotional sensitivity are likely to have experienced some abuse or come from family systems that have amplified traits of high sensitivity. According to the attachment theory of human behaviour, the development of healthy attachments allows children to be secure to meet the world and any changes in their bodies with confidence ((Lecroy & Williams, 2009). This means that broken or inconsistent attachments make children develop maladaptive behaviours that impact their growth. Dysfunctional families are likely to create such attachments where the emotions of the children are not safe, and survival is prioritized.
Psychological Development
The ages between 6 and 12 present an ideal time for an individual to learn new experiences (Lecroy & Williams, 2009). These experiences alter brain structures that have been created between the ages of 1 to 5 years (Riley Children’s Health, 2023). According to Riley Children’s Health, school-age children replace prelogical and magical thinking with concrete thinking, indicating brain maturity and change in their preferences. Several other mental processes also help the child succeed in their academic functions. By the age of 9, typical school-age children must be able to pay attention for about 45 minutes and discern the actual actions they should pay attention to and the ones to avoid. Due to the academic demands, these kids must also be able to create tricks to help them recall and memorize information when required.
The executive functioning of a typical kid must enable them to coordinate and control their cognitive behaviours and abilities. However, research has indicated that kids who underwent maltreatment are at risk of shortages in executive functioning, which impacts their behavioural regulation (National et al., 2014). An assessment of kids aged eight years old showed that extreme childhood neglect is directly related to executive functioning issues. One of the studies, as the National Research Council reported, showed that children randomly assigned to foster care had better executive functioning performance than those picked from different communities. Findings from such studies reveal that extreme neglect of children aged between 6 and 12 years can interfere with the growth of their executive functioning. Issues with regulating attention are among the most striking deficits seen in children who experience neglect and abuse in institutional settings.
Other studies have also investigated how childhood neglect and abuse are related to mental illnesses or psychopathology (VanMeter et al., 2021). VanMeter and colleagues report that all the meta-analyses, laboratory-based research, and narrative reviews concluded that childhood neglect and abuse are critically linked to increased levels of psychopathology, both in adolescence and in childhood. The results of the above authors’ study are consistent with similar research by Wilkinson Bowyer (2017). The two scholars investigated the impact of childhood abuse and neglect on neurodevelopment and physiological responses. The results of their literature review indicated that some kids who have been abused will experience neurodevelopment issues that can impact the conditions of their brains. This increases the risks of cognitive issues and problems such as motor skills, difficulties with speech and language, behaviours, learning, memory, and other neurological functions. This results from behavioural and emotional disturbances the kids go through in school, their relationships with others, and at home.
Social Development
Malik and Marwaha (2018) report that, among healthy children, the social-emotional stages develop at an expected pace and trajectory. The availability of caregivers to support these kids helps establish an attachment and connection needed when the kids want to interact and socialize with other members of society. The initial measurable social milestone occurs when kids are about one to two months old and is expressed by the kid’s response to parental smiles or high-pitched vocalizations. The kid recognizes the voice and smell of the caregiver and responds to any touch.
According to Lecroy and Williams, at the age of 6 years, children learn to follow simple directions and rules from their parents, teachers, or other individuals. They also learn social skills like apologizing for any unintentional wrongdoing and giving praise. At this age, the kids also like spending most of their time in peer groups and relating to their agemates. At the age of between 7 and 8 years, a typical child is expected to understand the regulations and rules and demonstrate a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and relationships. As such, the kid can take charge of the simple chores, moral development occurs, and they learn complex coping skills. Lecroy and Williams indicate that, by age nine and above, friend and peer groups become a critical part of the children’s lives more than their family members, and the kids become independent and committed to the social groups. This is clear evidence that any form of child abuse or neglect will affect the morality and other social aspects of children aged between 6 and 12 years.
The ideas and behaviours children learn from their caretakers influence how they conduct themselves in peer groups (Lecroy & Williams, 2009). When the caregivers do not protect the kids on the ideas of wrong and right, the children will be disordered when interacting with other individuals (Stogsdill, 2019). According to Jean Piaget, who studied the development of kids, social components are critical for a child’s moral development. He argued that children aged between 5 and 9 years will learn social skills that determine their experiences with law enforcement. Findings by Boyda and McFeeters (2015) found that children who have undergone childhood abuse and trauma demonstrate poor social functioning, unlike the non-abused ones. Related findings also showed that childhood abuse and neglect lead to greater chances of having fewer friends, dysfunctional self-perception, poor self-esteem, lack of interest in community activities, and limited social support. For example, Chen et al. (2023) demonstrated that abused and neglected children later become adults disinterested in prosocial behaviours. Prosocial behaviors include donating, volunteering, sharing, comforting, and helping benefit other members of society.
Social Institutions
Social workers in government institutions (like the CPS or Department of Human Services), alongside mandatory reporters, investigate and report cases of child abuse and neglect (Chalk & King, 1998). Chalk and King state that municipal and state governments, as well as non-governmental agencies, are also involved in helping the development of an individual in early childhood experiencing childhood abuse and neglect. These entities offer social services that treat or prevent family violence, including advocating for the victims of abuse and counselling them. They organize alternative living arrangements such as out-of-home placement for the kids, design caregiver and family support programs, and educational programs for people at risk of being abused or abused (such as dysfunctional families and children brought up by parents of low socioeconomic status, among others). When families are at risk of losing their children due to cases of neglect and abuse, social workers are involved in several functions before the government entities separate the family members.
Together with other members of the CPS, social workers ensure a thorough investigation has been conducted to validate the claims. This helps to ensure that the allegations have been proven and that separating the kid from the parents or caregivers will serve the child’s best interests. Since kids between 6 and 12 years are expected to be school-going, social workers and other community and government personnel also offer support that benefits parents and children. For example, they seek services and support that ensure the parents have been reformed while the kids are studying. Such support is necessary for future reunification between the family members. Once the child’s safety has been secured, the social workers ensure they have been reunited with their caregivers and parents while mitigating the risk factors that led to the separation. If reunification cannot be done, the social workers ensure the kids are in the custody of an alternative relative or adoptive family that will ensure continuous psychological, biological, and social development of the child.
Conclusion
As the CDC put it, childhood abuse and neglect is a critical public health issue that affects children of all ages and impacts their lives as adults. It has been associated with developmental issues such that a kid aged 6 to 12 years will likely experience a higher biological maturation and a lower psychological growth in what is termed as maladaptation. Children who have experienced any form of abuse from their parents or caregivers have a high chance of experiencing maladaptation since their psychological development will likely not be at the same level required to cope with the physical growth the child experiences. As girls attempt to deal with the changes in their bodies, those whose psychology has been disturbed are likely to have more difficulties coping with the changes. Social consequences like low self-esteem can affect the kind of peers and friends these children will have since they might not have the mental capacity to handle large peer groups. Nevertheless, social workers and government entities like CPS have been at the forefront of helping children experiencing neglect and abuse continue with their lives away from the abusers. These workers offer educational support and other services the children and their parents need for a healthy lifestyle and possible reunification in the future.
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