Various types of child maltreatment worldwide are horrifying and lead to numerous consciences that affect society as a whole. Therefore, it is possible to choose the elimination of just one of the types of maltreatment only by realizing the chances to eliminate another as soon as possible. Thus, I would decide on the elimination of child abuse. Both moral and social norms are extremely hard to change. Tremendous efforts that are aimed at reducing the frequency of child abuse rarely lead to immediate results. Therefore, the world would at once be granted a unique opportunity to become a much better place if there were a power that could eliminate that dreadful type of maltreatment.
Unlike child abuse, child neglect has proven to be rooted primarily in numerous socioeconomic factors. The rapid pace of social evolution and technological progress that take place all around the world promises to rapidly eliminate various social issues that are caused by poverty. Moreover, a series of measures introduced by governments and municipalities have already reduced child neglect rates in different parts of the globe. What is more important, parents, in the vast majority of cases, love their children and are ready to work hard to ensure their well-being. Therefore, assisting poor parents by providing affordable housing and essential products, as well as encouraging cheap contraception methods, significantly improve the situation.
It is vivid that both types of maltreatment have disastrous effects on children’s lives. Various factors that lead to child abuse are still being researched, and, as of today, there is no uniform, efficient strategy that can ensure the elimination of different types of abuse. At the same time, issues that usually stand behind child neglect can be addressed immediately, primarily by allocating more resources to fight poverty.