Which term describes failure to provide basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision?

Which term describes failure to provide basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision?

• A. Neglect
• B. Harm
• C. Emotional neglect
• D. Institutional abuse

Answer: (A)

Neglect describes failing to provide a child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision. This situation places the child’s safety and well-being at risk because essential care isn’t being met. In child welfare terms, neglect is about not supplying the essentials a child needs to grow and stay safe, not necessarily about causing harm or injury. For example, a caregiver who doesn’t provide meals, appropriate clothing, medical care, or reasonable supervision is neglecting the child’s basic needs. The other terms don’t fit as well: harm covers injury or risk of injury in a broader sense, emotional neglect focuses specifically on the absence of emotional support and nurturing, and institutional abuse refers to abuse occurring within an institution, which is a more specific setting.

Neglect describes failing to provide a child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision. This situation places the child’s safety and well-being at risk because essential care isn’t being met. In child welfare terms, neglect is about not supplying the essentials a child needs to grow and stay safe, not necessarily about causing harm or injury. For example, a caregiver who doesn’t provide meals, appropriate clothing, medical care, or reasonable supervision is neglecting the child’s basic needs. The other terms don’t fit as well: harm covers injury or risk of injury in a broader sense, emotional neglect focuses specifically on the absence of emotional support and nurturing, and institutional abuse refers to abuse occurring within an institution, which is a more specific setting.