[Understanding child neglect in a gender context: a study performed in a Brazilian city].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the phenomenon of child neglect and understand it in a gender context.


METHODS
Retrospective, quantitative, and exploratory study that analyzed reports of violence by a child and adolescent protection network in a Brazilian city. The theoretical and methodological basis applied was TIPESC (Theory of Nursing Praxical Intervention in Collective Health), with a gender emphasis.


RESULTS
Neglect of children under the age of ten represents more than half the reports received over all the years studied; more boys than girls suffered neglect and 41.4% of the reports of neglect involved children under than age of three; women were identified as being solely responsible in 67.9%, and as accessories in 17.3% of the incidents reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Child neglect is a complex matter, the gender subordinate status inflicted on these children and their mothers who are responsible for their care underscore the social vulnerability of this group.
Departamento de Enfermagem em Saúde Coletiva, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, BR.
Emiko Yoshikawa
EY
Egry
Departamento de Enfermagem em Saúde Coletiva, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, BR.
Maíra Rosa
MR
Apostólico
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, BR.
Leda Maria
LM
Albuquerque
Programa Interunidades de Doutoramento em Enfermagem, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, BR.
Rafaela
R
Gessner
Departamento de Enfermagem em Saúde Coletiva, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, BR.
Rosa Maria Godoy Serpa da
RM
Fonseca
D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002947:Cities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D014505:Urban Population