Child Abuse among the children in the United States
            
             Child abuse is a term generally the mistreatment of a child by a parent or another adult. There is no standard definition of child abuse, however. A short and simple definition can be limited to the life-threatening physical violence, including severe beatings, burns, and strangulation. No one knows how many instances of child abuse occur each year because many cases of child abuse are never reported. However, the National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect estimates that nearly one million children in the United States suffer nonaccidental, life-threatening physical violence each year.
             There are four main divisions of child abuse: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. ¡§Neglect is when a parent or caregiver does not provide for the basic emotional and physical needs of the child on an ongoing basis. Children who are neglected physically and emotionally may not develop normally. Some children may suffer permanent damage.¡ (Indications of Child Abuse and Maltreatment, 2003). Examples of neglect include not providing the proper:
             „« Food
             „« Clothing
             „« Housing
             „« Supervision
             „« Safe surroundings
             „« Personal health care
             „« Medical and emotional care
             „« Education
            
             ¡§Physical abuse includes anything a parent or caregiver does that result in physical harm to a child. Physical abuse may happen if a child is punished harshly, even though the parent may not have meant to hurt the child. Physical abuse may result in a minor injury to a more serious injury which could cause lasting damage or death.¡ (Indications of Child Abuse and Maltreatment, 2003). Examples of physical abuse include:
             „« Bruises
             „« Marks in the shape of an object or handprints
             „« Shaking
             „« Burns
             „« Human bite marks
             „« ...