Answer: True
Explanation: The lack of a caring environment can affect the mental development of children because studies have shown that children depend on their parents as a condition for a caring environment. Parental care of children is important in terms of regulating their physiological needs and behaviour, that is, in learning certain patterns that are important for mental development. With careful care, children are relieved of stress, which, if not eliminated, can later cause problems. Such children exhibit the developed skills needed for school, i.e learning, writing, reading, socialising, while neglecting can produce various mental, health, developmental problems.