Intentionally withholding food from a child as punishment is considered which of the following?

Intentionally withholding food from a child as punishment is classified as emotional abuse because it directly impacts the child's psychological well-being and emotional security. This act can cause lasting harm, including feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, and abandonment. Emotional abuse encompasses situations where a child's emotional needs are disregarded or actively undermined, and withholding basic necessities like food falls into this category.

While it could also be argued that such actions may involve aspects of neglect—since a child's basic needs are not being met—emotional abuse specifically highlights the relationship between the caregiver's behavior and its psychological effects on the child. In this context, although neglect may seem applicable, the stronger classification here is emotional abuse due to the intent behind the action and its implications for the child's mental health.