Child abandonment is the practice of relinquishing interests and claims over one's offspring with the intent of never again resuming or reasserting it. Causes include many social and cultural factors as well as mental illness. An abandoned child is called a foundling (as opposed to a runaway or an orphan).

Causes

Poverty is often a root cause of child abandonment. Persons in cultures with poor social welfare systems who are not financially capable of taking care of a child are more likely to abandon him/her. Political conditions, such as difficulty in adoption proceedings, may also contribute to child abandonment, as can the lack of institutions, such as orphanages, to take in children whom their parents cannot support. Societies with strong social structures and liberal adoption laws tend to have lower rates of child abandonment.

History

Historically, many cultures practice abandonment of infants, called "exposure." Although such children would survive if taken up by others, exposure is often considered a form of infanticide—as described by Tertullian in his Apology: "it is certainly the more cruel way to kill. . . by exposure to cold and hunger and dogs."

Medieval laws in Europe governing child abandonment, as for example the Visgothic Code, often prescribed that the person who had taken up the child was entitled to the child's service as a slave.

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Sat Sep 4 14:42:48 2010

is it child abandonment if a parent leaves the home while going through a divorce?
Q. the woman and her husband don't get along at all. they have two children together and she's afraid that if she leaves the home and moves somewhere else until the divorce is final, that she'll lose her children due to child abandonment. She's a part of her two kids lives everyday. She just can't stand to be under the same roof as him.
Asked by jhwalker26 - Mon Nov 23 13:49:13 2009 - - 9 Answers - 0 Comments

A. No...but why doesn't she take the children with her? While most mothers get custody of their children after a divorce, she needs to take the kids in order for the judge to see that she WANTS them full time. "child abandonment" means that one parent has absolutely ZERO communication with the child what so ever...no phone calls, visits, letters, etc.
Answered by Their mommy! - Mon Nov 23 13:55:39 2009

What is child abandonment in California?
Q. So my sons father pays child support every month this is through Child Support Services. We never went to court though. Anyway this August is going to be a year since he has seen my son. Can I file abandonment and have my son to myself? My son has my last name and hos fathers name is not on the birth certificate.
Asked by Not the likely suspect - Wed May 12 17:07:58 2010 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Don't bother with this with child abandonment, that is when a parent leaves a child somewhere and never goes back to get the child...just file for full legal custody of your son..
Answered by Truth Sets You Free - Wed May 12 17:10:28 2010

what is the criteria for child abandonment ?
Q. How long with out support or contact must a parent go, until it it considered abandonment?
Asked by spzalky - Thu Dec 18 17:34:31 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

From Yahoo Answer Search: "child abandonment"
Wed Sep 8 02:18:28 2010

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Wed, 23 Aug 2006 17:37:41 PDT

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Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:23:10 GMT+00:00
dropped in casino case CBC.ca (CBC) A man who left his toddler in a locked car outside a Calgary casino has had a charge of child abandonment against him withdrawn. ... Calgary man appears in court on child abandonment charges chqr no criminal charges for leaving tot outside casino Calgary Herald Man who left son in casino parking lot won't face charges Metro Canada - Calgary Calgary Sun  - Vancouver Sun
Singer Confirms Autism Speaks Insurance Lobbyists Drafted Controversial NY Bill - Age of Autism (blog)
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Singer Confirms Autism Speaks Insurance Lobbyists Drafted Controversial NY Bill - Age of Autism (blog)
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From Google News Search: "child abandonment"
Wed Sep 8 02:18:31 2010

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invisiblechildren.org
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Mike I am the Grandmother of Amy And we are in desperate need of many new more voice s of everyone of the grandparents that have lost our right to be able to see our grandchildren Either

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From Yahoo Image Search: "child abandonment"
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From Google Blog Search: "child abandonment"
Wed Sep 8 02:18:31 2010

See also:

  • MissouriFamiliesMissouriFamilies
    missourifamilies.org
    Affiliated with the University of Missouri at Columbia, the site provides information on health, nutrition, finances, housing, divorce, parenting, and childcare. Articles, quick answers, workshops, and newsletter.
  • National Guard Youth Challenge ProgramNational Guard Youth Challenge Program
    ngycp.org
    A structured, quasi-military training and mentoring program affiliated with the National Guard for at-risk youth that develops the life skills, educational levels and employment potential of 16-18 year old high-school drop-outs
  • Project Destiny of HopeProject Destiny of Hope
    destinyofhope.org
    An organization in Baltimore, Maryland that seeks to make effective leaders and productive citizens of at-risk youths and teens through interest driven programs.
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Fri Sep 3 11:43:50 2010