What the Warning Signs That a Parent Might Hurt a Child

Professionals as well as the general public refer to neglect and physical, emotional or sexual harming of a child as child abuse. Although there are warning signs that a parent may harm a child in one or more of these ways, no legal actions may begin unless evidence exists that abuse has already occurred. However, warning signs may help friends and family take measures to prevent child abuse. Please contact your local child protective services for advice if you suspect a risk of child abuse.

Behavior Towards Child

• Parents who punish their child in a harsh physical manner, degrade, blame or reject their child verbally or act uninterested in the well-being of their child may engage in abusive behaviors. Moreover, parents who limit their child's interactions with other adults and children and exhibit otherwise overly protective and possessive behavior towards their child indicate a risk of child abuse.

Behavior Towards Others

• Abusive parents or parents who may become abusive often express to others a general dislike or dissatisfaction with their child, ask other caregivers to deliver harsh punishments to their child and exhibit abusive or overly-controlling behavior towards other family members. Parents who could hurt their child may also express a general dislike and hatred of anyone perceived as weak or inferior.

Personal Actions and Attributes

• Parents who use or abuse drugs and/or alcohol, and exhibit depression or another mentally unstable condition signal a risk of child abuse. Many abusive parents lack the skills to manage their own anger and express their feelings. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, abusive parents may have experienced abuse in their childhood. Parental immaturity increases the risk of child abuse. Parents that are unaware of stages of child development and expectations appropriate for children at each stage may become angry at their child's inability to perform in the way they would like. This anger and frustration could lead to child abuse.