Child Neglect in the Military Community: Are We Neglecting the Child?
Abstract
This thesis examines the lack of criminal standards for child neglect in the military community. It shows the need for uniform criminal standards to provide notice of parental responsibilities, to promote fairness, to ensure options for commanders, to maintain unit readiness and discipline, and to maintain unit and community morale and welfare. The thesis argues that although a prevalent problem in the military community, child neglect is disregarded and handled through ineffective, incomplete administrative and rehabilitative measures. If punitive sanctions are sought, the military is forced to rely on inconsistent state statutes. In the absence of state statutes, such as outside the United States, without punitive statutory or regulatory provisions, and in the absence of physical injury, the crime may go unpunished. In response, the author concludes that the most realistic and expedient solution is an executive branch initiative that implements punitive provisions criminalizing the three most common forms of child neglect: abandonment, endangerment, and deprivation of necessities. Such action would provide uniform standards for the military community and limit disparate treatment within our disciplined society.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA456653
Entities
People
- Lisa M. Schenck
Organizations
- The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School