Emotional abuse attacks a child’s conception of him or herself, and the child begins to see him or herself as unworthy of love and affection. Children who are constantly shamed, humiliated, terrorized or rejected suffer as much or maybe more than if they had been physically injured.
Emotional abuse is probably the least understood of all child abuse but can be the cruelest and most destructive over time.
Different forms of emotional abuse include:
- Ignoring: A parent may not be able to meet the needs of their children. The parent may not show any affection or nurture the child at all. He or she might not be interested in the child, not express affection or not even recognize the child’s presence in a room.
- Rejection: Some parents don’t bond well and will reject a child who is looking for love and affection. They may show a child that he or she is unwanted in a number of ways, telling the kid to leave, calling him or her names or making him or her doubt his or her worth.
- Isolation: A parent may not allow the child to have friends or interact with people in general, keeping a baby alone in its room, or preventing a child from playing sports or doing other social activities.
- Corruption: A parent might allow children to use drugs or alcohol; to watch cruel behavior toward animals; to watch pornographic materials and adult sex acts; or to witness or participate in crimes such as stealing, assault, prostitution, gambling, etc.
- Terrorization: A parent may focus all of his or her anger on one child. The parent may ridicule him or her for displaying his or her emotions or criticize him or her for different actions. The child may be threatened continually.
Stop emotional abuse.. look for the signs
