Gone Baby Gone – Child Neglect Essay Example

is a subject of debate. Some argue that even a single occurrence should be regarded as neglect, while others hold a different viewpoint. To determine if an incident qualifies as child neglect, it is crucial to comprehend its characteristics and causes, including the frequency and duration of its occurrence. Neglectful families are generally classified into two categories: chronically neglectful and non-chronically neglectful. Chronically neglectful families exhibit several issues and deficiencies, such as lack of knowledge, skills, and resources (Miller-Perrin & Perrin, 2007).

According to Miller-Perrin and Perrin (2007), families categorized as new neglect families, meaning they are not chronically neglectful, have recently undergone significant crises like parental divorce or illness. These crises have overwhelmed them and impacted their ability to handle normal situations. Amanda, on the other hand, was part of a chronically neglectful family. Her mother, Helene, engaged in drug abuse and would conduct drug deals in the house without remembering that Amanda was present. Despite being only four years old at the time of her disappearance, Helene frequently left Amanda alone in the house. This suggests that Amanda experienced neglect from a very young age.

During Amanda's absence, she was involved in a drug transaction between her mother and her mother's partner. Neglect can take various forms such as physical, developmental, emotional, and environmental neglect. Physical neglect encompasses the failure to provide a child with essential needs such as food, clothing, and shelter (Miller-Perrin & Perrin, 2007). This type of neglect also involves denying medical care and evading responsibility for a child.

Developmental neglect, also called educational neglect, is when a child is not given the essential experiences for their

growth and development. This includes lacking social interactions with peers and cognitive progress. Emotional abuse is another type of neglect where a child does not receive emotional support, security, and encouragement.

It is crucial for the well-being of a child to feel emotionally secure, as they need reassurance and support. Neglecting a child's emotional needs can lead to various issues. A modern form of neglect called environmental neglect refers to the absence of safety, opportunities, and resources in neighborhoods affected by crime, incivility, and limited provisions for families and children (Miller-Perrin & Perrin, 2007).

Amanda experienced neglect in her development, emotions, and environment. She did not receive an education and was exposed to a life of drug dealing, which ultimately led to her abduction. Amanda's mother showed little concern for the harm she caused and made minimal efforts to find her after the abduction. Additionally, Amanda grew up in an unsafe neighborhood that did not provide a secure environment for her upbringing.

Both Amanda and Helene were vulnerable to neglect due to shared characteristics. Amanda's home and town were hubs of illegal activities, and even when she returned home, her mother neglected her safety by not hiring a babysitter while going out at night. Neglect cases involving children and their parents or caregivers typically decline with age, with over half of all reported incidents occurring in children under five years old.

Approximately 30% of neglect cases involve infants who are less than one year old, with younger children facing more severe consequences. Neglect cases demonstrate minimal gender disparities, although males have a slightly higher probability of experiencing emotional neglect, potentially due

to societal expectations. In contrast, females tend to address their issues through communication, leading to reduced occurrences of emotional neglect. The relationship between neglect patterns and race remains uncertain; however, discernible patterns emerge concerning socioeconomic status.

According to the report, individuals with lower socioeconomic statuses are more prone to neglect. Amanda, a four-year-old from a non-affluent background, was reported as a neglect case. Although Amanda did not exhibit clear signs of neglect herself, her mother Helene displayed characteristics that increased the probability of being an irresponsible parent. Generally, females are more frequently reported for child abuse due to their greater amount of time spent with their children.

Neglectful parents exhibit varying psychological and behavioral characteristics, including reduced verbal affection and warmth when communicating with their children (Miller-Perrin, & Perrin, 2007). Additionally, neglectful parents tend to have less understanding and engagement with their children. Amanda grew up in a single-parent household, which increases the likelihood of experiencing neglect. Helene, who abuses drugs, is four times more likely to neglect her children compared to those who do not misuse substances.

Child neglect has several short term effects on children, with difficulty in social adjustment being the most common problem (Miller-Perrin, & Perrin, 2007). Neglect can lead to two types of attachment issues: anxious attachment or disorganized attachment. Anxious attachment occurs when a child becomes excessively reliant on a caregiver due to neglect. Patrick observed signs of anxious attachment in Amanda after rescuing her from Doyle's kidnapping.

Despite experiencing trauma caused by Doyle and his wife, Amanda decided to remain with them. Disorganized attachment refers to an attachment style where there is a lack

of consistent coping patterns (Miller-Perrin & Perrin, 2007). Children with disorganized attachment often face challenges in communication and are prone to displaying aggression more readily. Moreover, child neglect impedes a child's social development, affecting their capacity to interact with peers and adjust in social environments.

Miller-Perrin and Perrin (2007) found that neglected children exhibit various negative behavioral and social outcomes. These include social withdrawal, decreased prosocial behavior, conflicts with friends, and fewer reciprocated friendships. Neglected children also experience cognitive and academic deficits, with a more significant academic deficit compared to physically abused children. These findings are particularly relevant in neglect cases involving low socioeconomic status children who often lack proper education and support at home.

Neglected children frequently have reduced academic performance and may encounter emotional and behavioral challenges. Neglectful parents tend to perceive their children as having behavior problems, thereby exacerbating these issues. Additionally, neglected children may struggle with articulating emotions and distinguishing between different feelings, including happiness and sadness. Intriguingly, in the film Gone Baby Gone, Amanda demonstrated few emotional or behavioral difficulties despite her neglectful upbringing.

Child neglect can have long-term effects on individuals, including cognitive deficits, psychiatric disturbances, and an increased likelihood of engaging in illegal activities. Numerous studies have found connections between child neglect and conditions such as dysthymia, antisocial personality disorder, and alcohol problems in adulthood (Miller-Perrin & Perrin, 2007). These issues are a result of the traumatic experiences endured during childhood and are considered to be long-term effects.

A potential long-term consequence for Amanda is experiencing difficulties in school and learning in general. Due to her lack of exposure to educated individuals and absence

of formal education, she may struggle academically. Amanda's caregiver, Helene, would often leave her alone for extended periods after turning on the television for her to watch. This prolonged pattern of neglect may result in impaired cognitive development if it persists over several years. Child neglect cases are handled differently from other forms of child maltreatment and often involve interventions. Interventions can be beneficial in addressing neglect as they demonstrate to the family that they have a support system in place.

Interventions can vary, ranging from individual sessions with a parent to involving the entire family. According to Miller-Perrin and Perrin (2007), it is recommended that programs utilize a limited number of individuals in delivering services to a family and continue providing these services for an extended period. This suggests that there should be minimal presence of individuals other than the family during interventions, and the family should not feel rushed in receiving their services. Another intervention strategy known as multiservice interventions also exists.

Multiservice interventions provide families with various types of support to address their current situations. Examples of these interventions include parenting groups, intensive in-home counseling, and supportive interventions (Miller-Perrin, ; Perrin, 2007). While Doyle believed that removing Amanda from her neglectful environment was the most effective intervention, Patrick believed that returning Amanda to her mother and providing multiservice interventions would be best for her. Personally, I agree with Patrick's approach of reuniting Amanda with Helene. Taking a child away from their mother should always be a last resort for child advocates.

I understand Doyle's perspective, but it is crucial to prioritize keeping a child with their mother. Separating a

child from their home has longer-lasting effects than the neglect they may experience. The movie lacked information about Helene and Amanda's situation. I believe that it would be best to provide interventions for Helene and ensure she comprehends the potential repercussions of her actions on Amanda. If this approach proves ineffective, I would reassess all the facts and may lean towards agreeing with Doyle.

The definition of neglect is so broad that diagnosing it is a challenge. Neglect is the most commonly reported form of maltreatment and therefore warrants further research. Neglect has various short and long term effects and there are few established strategies for intervention and prevention. Neglect is evident in various areas, as depicted in the movie Gone Baby Gone which highlights the seriousness of this issue.