“I Prefer to Live Only on Bread, but to Live with Love”: Muslim Palestinian-Arab Youths’ Perceptions of Child Neglect

Child neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment. Like child abuse, it may adversely influence children’s development, cognitive function, and mental and physical health. Most literature on child neglect addresses professional discourse as opposed to children’s and adolescents’ views. Through a qualitative context-informed paradigm, the aim of this study was to gain a more nuanced understanding of Muslim Palestinian-Arab youths’ life experiences and concerns, with attention to their perceptions of child neglect. Data collection and thematic analysis were based on eight focus group discussions with youths who may or may not have experienced neglect. Participants were sampled by age (13–14) and ethnic affiliation (Muslim Arabs residing in northern Israel). Although the youths were asked about their perceptions of neglect in general, their responses referred only to parental neglect while inferring that it might be indirectly affected by complex structural factors. The analysis generated four themes that reflected the youths’ perceptions of neglect: (1) emotional needs; (2) responsibility and supervision; (3) guidance and companionship, and (4) material needs. The participants’ voices provided a platform for examining the complexity inherent in negotiating neglect in the context of youth and the importance of recognizing their unique perceptions. In addition, the findings point to the importance of developing a contextually sensitive definition of child neglect to enhance the formation of policy and practice.