Variations in perceptions of child neglect

This study explored the perceptions of the seriousness of specific components of neglect held by mothers from three cultural groups and held by public child welfare workers in two different roles in the Chicago area. It then compared the perceptions of the mothers to those of the workers. The findings suggest that members of minority groups perceive some types of child neglect as more serious than do their Caucasian counterparts, that investigative workers see most types of child neglect as more serious than do service workers, and that workers see all types of child neglect as less serious than do the mothers. Comparisons revealed that various groups perceive the dimensions of neglect differently in terms of their potential harm to the child.