Neglect refers to?

• A. Failure to meet child's basic needs
• B. Physical abuse
• C. Emotional neglect only
• D. Disciplining a child too harshly

Answer: (A)

Neglect is the failure to meet a child's basic needs over time, such as adequate food, shelter, medical care, supervision, and emotional support. This broad idea is why describing neglect as failing to provide these essential needs fits best. Physical abuse is about actively harming a child, which is a different form of maltreatment. Emotional neglect focuses specifically on lacking emotional support, which is part of neglect but doesn’t capture the full scope of not meeting basic needs. Disciplining a child too harshly is a form of abuse aimed at punishment and can cause harm, rather than simply failing to provide for fundamental needs. So, neglect centers on not providing essential care and safety for a child.