Legal Definitions - rejecting

In legal contexts, particularly concerning child welfare, rejecting refers to a consistent pattern of behavior by a parent or caregiver that actively denies a child's inherent value or consistently dismisses their fundamental emotional, physical, or developmental needs. This goes beyond occasional frustration and signifies a sustained refusal to acknowledge the child as a worthy individual with valid requirements.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Dismissing Emotional Expression

  A 9-year-old child excitedly shares a story about their day at school, recounting a small achievement or a new friendship. The parent consistently responds with disinterest, perhaps by looking at their phone, changing the subject, or making a dismissive comment like, "That's nice, but I'm busy," without ever engaging with the child's attempt to connect or share their experiences. This pattern repeats over time whenever the child tries to express themselves.

  This illustrates rejecting because the parent's consistent dismissal of the child's efforts to communicate and share their life demonstrates a refusal to acknowledge the child's worth and the legitimacy of their need for parental attention, validation, and emotional connection.

• Example 2: Invalidating Legitimate Needs

  A teenager expresses feelings of sadness or anxiety about a personal struggle, seeking comfort or guidance from their caregiver. The caregiver repeatedly responds by minimizing the teenager's feelings ("You're overreacting," "There's nothing to be sad about"), ridiculing their emotional vulnerability, or telling them to "just get over it" without offering any empathy or support. This happens whenever the teenager attempts to express emotional distress.

  This demonstrates rejecting because the caregiver consistently invalidates the teenager's legitimate emotional needs for understanding, empathy, and support, thereby refusing to acknowledge the child's inherent worth and the validity of their feelings and struggles.