Perceptual difference of child neglect among Korean parents and children: Implications for child welfare policy

• We examined perceptual difference in child neglect among Korean parents and children.
• Children consider child neglect situations significantly more serious than parents.
• While Korean parents perceive emotional neglect as the most serious child neglect domain, Korean children perceive drug/alcohol use as the most serious domain of child neglect.
• Better-educated parents are likely to rate the child neglect situations more seriously than less-educated parents.
• Girls are more likely to perceive the emotional neglect and lack of supervision category more seriously than boys.

This study examined the perceptual differences in child neglect among Korean parents and children. The data were collected from a convenient sampling of 321 Korean parents and 294 children using the case statements developed by Giovannoni and Becerra (1979). The statements consisted of examples of child neglect in the following seven domains: (1) emotional neglect; (2) lack of supervision; (3) medical neglect; (4) educational neglect; (5) neglect of personal hygiene; (6) nutritional neglect; and, (7) drug/alcohol use. Findings showed that both Korean parents and children consider child neglect moderately serious while Korean children consider child neglect situations significantly more serious. Korean parents perceive emotional neglect as the most serious child neglect domain whereas Korean children perceive drug/alcohol use as the most serious domain of child neglect. Gender variation among Korean children indicates that girls are more likely to perceive the emotional neglect and lack of supervision domains more seriously than boys. The implications of the study offer valuable insights into policy development and program planning efforts in reducing the child neglect among Korean parents and children. Additionally, the findings of the study will likely contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the area of child neglect among Korean children and parents.