The unlawful retention of sons and daughters as a form of child abuse in Ecuador in the last decade

Abstract

The undue retention of a son or daughter by a parent constitutes a serious problem of violation of the rights of children and adolescents in Ecuador. At the same time, it puts at risk the health and physical and psychological integrity of children and adolescents,

since it constitutes a form of child abuse. The general objective of this research is to identify the consequences of the undue retention by a parent on the health and well-being of a son or daughter in Ecuador during the last decade. The research question is what are the consequences of the undue retention by a parent on the health and well-being of a son or daughter in Ecuador during the last decade? The methodology used was bibliographical. The results show that the undue retention of a son or daughter by a parent causes severe repercussions on their health and well-being at a physical, psychological, educational and social level; in addition to affecting their integral development, their self-esteem and the formation of their identity. In conclusion, it has been determined that, during the last decade in Ecuador, the undue retention of a son or daughter by a parent has been mainly the result of conflicts and disagreements between separated or divorced parents. These parents have used their sons and daughters as instruments of revenge or blackmail, which has generated conflicts in the psyche of minors and has caused negative emotional repercussions in the short, medium and long term.