Hi there,
You are reading 4 minutes 4 change, where you are being urged to take four minutes out of your schedule to relax while reading this article that aims to heighten your awareness. The awareness that, hopefully, will be heightened on this occasion is the effect that inadequate parenting can have on our children. When parents fail to care for their children properly, they leave them exposed to the ills of our society. Even in the womb, children are vulnerable; the unborn child is only as safe as the ‘mother-to-be’ is considerate. Drinking excessive alcohol, smoking, and taking drugs can damage the unborn child.
Children have no say in their conception and ultimate birth; they are simply born into a setting where they are either cared for adequately, or, due to ineffective parenting, they learn to strive, against all odds. In some cases, there is a ‘minimum standard’ of care given to children that, with some adjustments, can be improved, because the children are not in any immediate danger or ‘at risk’. There is also a standard that falls, disappointingly, below what is considered ‘reasonable childcare’. Here are some examples:

• Children who are consistently beaten or physically abused, with belts, sticks, hose pipes, wire etc.[box type=”shadow” align=”alignright” width=”300px” ]A recent case saw a young child (2 years old) left for 2-3 years in the care of a dysfunctional caregiver, who severely neglected the child. When the child was eventually rescued by CPA officers, she couldn’t talk; she only made grunting sounds. Due to malnourishment, she had a few twisted teeth and no social skills whatsoever. One year later, the child, who’s now in foster care, still cannot talk, and although trying, can only ‘grunt’ a few words. Her few teeth bleed occasionally when brushed, and no doubt need extraction. Her social skills have however developed, because she now shows care and affection; she loves hugs and kisses too. But, for her, it’s a long road. It took three years for her to be damaged to this extent; and she may never be whole again. There is saying that says, ‘You could spend a lifetime trying to forget a few minutes of your childhood.[/box]
• Parents who sexually abuse their children, or parents who know their child was sexually abused, but fail to report it, therefore protecting the perpetrator.
• Parents who encourage their under-age children to engage in sex for money (sex trafficking).
• Children who are left alone for long periods of time without parental supervision, and/or food and water.

Those are just four examples of bad parenting, which are, in actual fact, CHILD ABUSE; and child abuse is AGAINST THE LAW. Because children are unable to protect themselves, and they are unaware of what is best for their development, when parents fail to provide reasonable care, the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) is left no other alternative but to intervene on behalf of the child.

It is hard for the layperson to imagine the magnitude of the impact that negative parenting can have on a child, but the damage can be irrevocable.
Take a look of the diagram below. The brain on the right is that of a child who has been extremely neglected, while the one on the left shows a child who has received the love, attention and care that he needs.

Damaged children act out their ‘pain’ of abandonment, rejection, frustration, and the psychological effect of physical and sexual abuse in a variety of ways. Who cares? We care! EVERY ADULT SHOULD CARE, because adults have a duty to either intervene or prevent our children from abuse in any way, shape or form. By addressing child-protective issues today, we are seeking to ensure well rounded adults of tomorrow.
If you are concerned about a child, you can ring the CPA hotline: 227 0979 or email chilcaregy@gmail.com