Definition and Analysis of the Social Problem INTRO: Child abuse and neglect is a serious problem in the United States. Every day, the well-being and safety of many children are put at risk by the physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect that their parents and caregivers inflict on them. DEFINITION: There have been and currently exist numerous definitions of what constitutes child abuse, neglect, and neglect. vary in time and space. Until the 1880s, children were the property of their families and, as such, it was up to families alone to decide how to care for them and whether they would live or die. Today, although it is recognized that parents and carers have the right to raise their children according to their own opinions and beliefs, when those opinions and beliefs conflict with protecting children from harm or access to primary needs, society has the right to intervene for the well-being of minors. In the United States, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) provides the most basic and universal definition of child abuse and neglect. According to this definition, abuse is “any recent act or omission to act by a parent or caregiver that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation” and neglect is “a act or omission to act which presents imminent risk or serious harm”. According to this definition, a child is anyone under the age of eighteen who is not emancipated. While there is one main federal definition of child abuse and neglect, there are other, more in-depth definitions within states that, while they have variations within them, also share some commonalities. Within these commonalities, child abuse and maltreatment are divided into 4 categories: physical... at the heart of the document... Child abuse and neglect. (2008, April). . Child welfare information gateway. National Child Abuse Statistics | Help for children. (n.d.). Network. March 21, 2015.http://www.childhelp.org/pages/statisticsNational Network to End Domestic Violence | Law on services and prevention of family violence. (n.d.). Network. 18 March 2015. http://www.nnedv.org/policy/issues/fvpsa.html PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT: POLITICAL ORIENTATIONS FOR THE FUTURE. (2001). . Washington, DC: United States Government. PROTECT CHILDREN, STRENGTHEN FAMILIES: REAUTHORIZE THE CAPTA. (2008). . Washington, DC: United States Government. Summary of the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 (CAPTA Reauthorization). (n.d.). Network. March 12, 2015. http://www.naswdc.org/advocacy/issues/letters/070103_abuse.aspThe Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003. (2003, June 25). . Children's office.