Our children are our future and their health and well-being should be one of our top priorities. The research confirmed what anyone with common sense already knows: Children who are fed fare better than those who are hungry. Money spent on child care and education services pays off in the long run and is less likely to be spent on special education and the criminal justice system. There is evidence that hitting children and corporal punishment, which is now illegal in many countries, can contribute to behavioral problems, encourage children to act violently and even lower intelligence. We also know that people with insurance stay healthier than those without insurance and that healthy children do better than sick children (Leon Hoffman, 2011). Child abuse is the physical, sexual, or emotional mistreatment or neglect of a child. It can be harmful to daily life, affecting not only the abused child, but also those in relationships with him or her. It can have lasting effects that can persist into adulthood and cause potential problems in relationships or perhaps even within one's families. It is important to learn to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect so that we can save the lives and futures of our children. Child abuse is widespread, often unreported, and is responsible for many problems affecting our youth today. In 2010, approximately one thousand five hundred and thirty-seven children were victims of abuse/neglect, resulting in deaths. Of the number of children who died due to abuse or neglect, 79 percent were under four years old, while 48 percent were under one year old. Boys and girls are both victims, almost at the same rate. About 3.6 million...... half the paper......accurately (Monnica T. Williams, 2013).” Works CitedLeon Hoffman, M. (2011, April 19). Beyond Freud. Retrieved from Psychology Today: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/beyond-freud/201104/our-children-our-futureMonnica T. Williams, P. (2013, March 14). Overcoming the pain of childhood abuse and abandonment. Retrieved from Psychology Today: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/culturally-speaking/201303/overcoming-the-pain-childhood-abuse-and-neglect safehorizon. (2010). Child abuse: statistics and facts. Retrieved from safehorizon: http://www.safehorizon.org/index/what-we-do-2/child-abuse--incest-55/child-abuse-statistics--facts-304.htmlU.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2012). US Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from safehorizon: http://www.safehorizon.org/index/what-we-do-2/child-abuse--incest-55/child-abuse-statistics--facts-304.html