- Written By: Dan Cavallari
- Edited By: Bronwyn Harris
- Last Modified Date: 29 March 2012
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2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
The definition of an unfit parent will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but the general considerations are usually consistent: an unfit parent is one who has somehow neglected his or her child in such a way that puts the child at risk. Failing to provide food, clothing, or protection to the child may be part of the definition of an unfit parent, as can addiction and substance abuse that results in abuse of the child or dangerous child neglect. A parent with an emotional or mental instability or disability may also be found to be unfit.
In most places, it is quite difficult to prove whether a person is an unfit parent, and the definition of an unfit parent is often left purposely vague. Most parents who are found to be unfit will exhibit certain characteristics or fall into certain regular patterns, such as failing to bring children to school regularly, failing to provide basic necessities to the child, putting the child in danger physically or mentally on a regular basis, and so on. Abandonment of the child is also usually cause to label the parent unfit, whether the abandonment happens consistently or only once. Abandonment as a definition may also be left vague.
If a parent is found to be unfit, the child may be put in the custody of the other parent. If both parents are found to be unfit, the child may be put in foster care or in the care of another relative. This foster care is not always necessarily permanent, and the unfit parent can work to get custody of the child back if the conditions that caused the unfit determination are remedied. In many jurisdictions, the child will be placed in temporary custody for six months or more while the unfit parent works to remedy the situations that caused the child to be taken from his or her custody.
A judge in court may require the parent to take steps toward improving the quality of the child's life. This may include taking parenting or anger management classes, or even finishing a high school education. A court may order the parent to take part in a mental evaluation or therapy program, or even drug treatment and counseling. The reasons for a parent to be deemed unfit can vary so vastly that the steps a parent must take as a result can vary just as vastly.
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anon257942
Post 7 |
I want to get full custody of my 1 year old. I work full time and I'm also going to college. My question is I'm kind of scared of applying for full custody because I don't want to give the father rights to take my son. The reason why is because he recently started smoking marijuana and just got into a gang. My fear is him driving with my kid in the car and getting shot at. Would this make him an unfit father? I mean, he works full time, he is renting a room and makes more money than I do, but I'm the one who takes care of the kid. I provide for him. All the father does is buy him things when I ask him to. Other than that, he won't offer to. What are the chances of me getting full custody? I don't want to take his son away from him, but I would prefer him visiting the child under supervision. |
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Clairdelune
Post 6 |
I think that the law recognizes that usually when a parent is abusing, neglecting their child or children, that parent has a disability, either physical or mental, is abusing drugs or alcohol, or any number of other negative problems.
It might be decided that the child be placed in foster care, but every effort should be made to help parents overcome their problems. If they get their life back on track, it's possible they will get their child back.
It's always important, though, that anyone observing abuse or neglect of children should report it to authorities right away. |
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PinkLady4
Post 5 |
As far as determining whether a parent or parents are unfit to raise their child, I think that the legal system has set up the criteria pretty well. The fact that the definition is vague is helpful, so that a professional can investigate and determine all the factors involved and make a decision whether to place the child in another situation, temporarily or permanently.
It's important that the professional, who investigates any report of unfit parents, should be highly trained, and it's always best to have several professionals on the investigating team. |
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StarJo
Post 4 |
@lighth0se33 - I think that you should end your aunt’s abuse. If you get disowned by a few relatives, so what? These people are letting her get away with abuse. Do you really want to be associated with them?
You should call children’s social services in your area. They will send someone out to your aunt’s house to investigate. She never has to know it was you who reported the abuse.
Even if your family does figure out that you called the agency, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you helped save your cousin. You will have a clear conscience, and you will be able to sleep peacefully each night knowing that you did the right thing. |
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lighth0se33
Post 3 |
I am having a moral issue involving an unfit parent. I know that my aunt is so mean to her child. She beats him regularly, and she sends him to school without any lunch money.
His dad is not in the picture at all. My parents tell me that I should stay out of it, because if I stir up trouble, then he will have to go live with a stranger, who might be even more mean to him.
I just think he deserves a chance at a better life. It’s hard, because she’s family, but I really feel like I need to tell someone who could help. If I do, I could risk being disowned by several members of my family.
What should I do? I’m so torn. If I do decide to report her, who should I call? |
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kylee07drg
Post 2 |
@orangey03 - It’s always best if the child of an unfit parent can stay with relatives instead of being passed around the system. Too many kids wind up miserable in foster care.
The unfamiliar surroundings can cause anxiety. Being thrust upon strangers suddenly can be too much for a young child to handle. They can develop problems in school, as well as mental and physical issues.
I have seen too many children become victims of an unfit parent and eventually the foster care system. I am a social worker, and I always lobby to get the child in with relatives if at all possible. |
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orangey03
Post 1 |
My best friend in elementary school had a mother that fit this description. The mother was supposed to come pick him up from school, but she totally forgot on more than one occasion.
He ended up just sitting there on the sidewalk for hours until she finally remembered. One day, a teacher happened to be passing by the school after hours and saw him there. When she found out that this was a regular occurrence, she scheduled a meeting with the mother.
Her excuse was that she fell asleep. The teacher dug a little deeper by speaking to the boy when the mother wasn’t around, and she found that the lady had a problem with alcohol.
She reported the mother to child services. In the end, she had to complete rehab while the boy stayed with relatives. Once the court determined that she was no longer an unfit parent, they let her have him back. |
