In what ways can poverty lead to neglect?

Poverty can significantly contribute to neglect, particularly through its ability to limit access to essential resources such as food, shelter, and proper care. When families experience financial hardship, they often struggle to meet basic needs. This can result in insufficient nutrition for children, lack of safe and stable housing, and inadequate medical care. As the stress of financial instability mounts, parents may become overwhelmed by their circumstances and inadvertently fail to provide the necessary support and nurturing that children require for healthy development. Consequently, the effects of poverty can lead to situations deemed neglectful, as parents may prioritize immediate survival over meeting the emotional and physical needs of their children.

In contrast, options highlighting increased family cohesion, decreased financial strain, or more time for parental engagement do not align with the realities of poverty. These scenarios do not typically occur in situations where families are struggling financially; rather, poverty often exacerbates challenges that contribute to neglect.