Abandoned baby cases have tripled
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ONE BABY is abandoned every week, a figure that has trebled in the past decade, according to the latest government figures.
Experts believe that the rise in teenage pregnancy, family break-up, the pressure of trying to be the perfect parent and poverty are responsible for nearly 60 children under the age of two being abandoned in England and Wales each year.
In 85 per cent of the cases, the mother and child are reunited. In the remainder of cases the children are usually fostered or adopted, but several babies who are abandoned are found dead.
Psychologists believe that even short-term abandonment can damage a child's emotional and social development. "Even short separations could have a negative effect on the child's ability to form close relationships," said Dr Michael Boulton, a child psychologist at the University of Keele. "Babies often form attachments with their mother before birth. They know their mother's smell and turn to them when anxious or distressed. If they suddenly find they have gone it can be very damaging."
Dr Boulton said that mothers who abandon their children normally do so under desperate circumstances. "Having one's first child is the most stressful experience someone can go through. Young mothers can be vulnerable, especially if they are alone and do not have the experience or social support to cope."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments