I so agree with the sharing of the neglect issue as well. It was a bit different here in that area as well. The father was gone much of the time....for years at a time due to work. He was a marine, which aided his being mean.

What bothers me is that because he wasn't present (due to no fault of his own) does that still mean the mother was more neglectful? Here was a woman who was trying to care for herself and three children AND an abusive husband (when he was there). It's hard, because she was present more and therefore more neglectful when you look at it one way. In the other way, was she more neglectful because she was the ONLY one present the most ... with no "outs" for herself?

Anyhow it's looked at, it's sad...but mostly for the children of such parents.

Stay safe and ty for your thoughts. It's a real issue that needs looked at in the therapeutic setting. A t does always want to look at the mother first and longest...

Kimmydawn