Abandoned children are among the most vulnerable people in the world. They can suffer from a variety of emotional and physical issues, including traumas, poverty, low self-esteem, depression and more. The effects of abandonment in childhood can persist into adulthood unless these children receive adequate care. In some cases, the underlying issues that cause a child to be abandoned can even lead to criminal activity.

One common form of child abandonment is known as “emotional neglect.” This type of abandonment occurs when parents don’t provide their children with a positive, emotionally supportive environment. This can include ridiculing their children, stifling their emotional expressions, expecting them to perform parental tasks, holding them to impossible standards and so on. Emotional neglect can also result from parental mental illness, substance abuse, poverty and other factors.

In many countries, if a baby is found to be orphaned, the country may assume custody of them until permanent adoptive parents can be found. Some countries still have orphanages, and in these facilities, a newborn baby will usually be given to an institution until a foster family can be found for them. In the United States, however, it is often a much different story. Many states have passed “safe haven” laws (also called baby box or baby hatch laws) that allow parents to legally turn their infants over for adoption without being charged with child abandonment if they do so in designated safe places such as hospitals.

The exact number of children abandoned worldwide each year varies by region, but the underlying causes are the same everywhere: Poverty is an important factor, as parents who cannot afford to meet their child’s needs might feel compelled to leave them. In addition, natural disasters and wars frequently orphan children around the world.

Lastly, in some cases, the underlying issue that leads to child abandonment can be as simple as a parent’s death or divorce. This can be very traumatic for a child, especially if the parent was their primary caregiver.

It’s easy to see why the topic of abandoned children is a sensitive and controversial one. These children are left feeling frightened and unsafe in the world, which can impact their self-esteem and make them believe that they are not worthy of positive attention or good care. This feeling can linger into their adulthood and contribute to problems like addiction, incarceration, domestic violence and more. The good news is that with the right care, these children can have a happy and healthy life.