Parents exist in their children's lives to meet their physical, emotional, social, and various other needs. What happens when one or more parents fail to meet these needs? When a parent fails to meet these needs, it is termed child abuse, commonly referred to as child abuse. There are several forms of child abuse; the signs of each vary, making some more obvious, the effects of each can harm the abused person for their entire life, and discovery is made difficult for some forms due to common misconceptions in society. Child abuse is the term applied to the abuse of anyone under the age of 18. Abuse is not just a bruise on the skin or a fracture, but there are many forms of abuse and some are unknown to most people. Physical abuse is anything that leaves a mark, causes pain, or causes any type of injury. This includes: hitting, slapping, biting, pushing, hitting, kicking, choking, burning, beating or even throwing the child. Using punishment that is inappropriate for the child's age, such as using a belt on a toddler, is also considered physical abuse. Most of the time, physical abuse is intentional, but if a parent or guardian gets carried away with disciplining the child, that is also considered abuse. Child neglect is a common form of abuse. Child neglect is when a child does not receive the things he or she needs; such as food, love, shelter, medical care, appropriate clothing, education or supervision. An example of this would be parents who allow their child to miss school for extended periods of time, or who never enroll their child in school. Sexual abuse is also known as pedophilia, rape and sexual assault. However, this form of abuse does not have to be physical, it is any form of sexual violence...... middle of paper ......abused. Works Cited1.) “Child Abuse & Neglect.” : Recognize, prevent and report child abuse. Np, and Web. March 18, 2014. .2.) “Adult Survivors of Child Abuse: About Resources What is Child Abuse? » Adult survivor of child abuse About resources What is child abuse? Np, and Web. March 20, 2014. .3.) “Adult Survivors of Child Abuse About Types of Child Abuse Resources.” Adult Survivor of Child Abuse About Resources Types of Child Abuse. Np, and Web. March 20, 2014. .4.) Kim, Henny H. Child Abuse. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 2000. Print.5.) Gordon, Sherri Mabry. Beyond the Bruises: The Truth About Teens and Abuse. Berkeley Heights, New Jersey: Enslow, 2009. Print.