Abandoned children often feel they don’t deserve to be loved, and this can manifest in an array of behaviors. They might act withdrawn, have trouble bonding with others, or behave aggressively out of fear of being abandoned again.
Abandonment trauma can impact a child’s entire life. It’s important to recognize the signs of abandonment trauma, including emotional instability, poor self-esteem, hypervigilance, substance use, and unhealthy relationship patterns. It’s also important to address the root causes of these issues so that the child can find healing and a sense of belonging.
Most people will experience some type of loss in their lifetime. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a sibling moving away for college, loss can be emotionally devastating. Many people are able to cope with these losses and move on, but some people struggle to heal from the emotional trauma of abandonment.
Although the term “abandonment” usually refers to physical abandonment, it can also be applied to emotional neglect and abuse. A child can be emotionally abandoned when a parent or legal caretaker fails to provide the emotional conditions and interactions needed for their healthy development over long periods of time.
Emotional abandonment is often more difficult to diagnose than physical abandonment. It’s more subtle and may be more difficult to understand, but the effects can be just as damaging.
For example, a child might be emotionally abandoned when they are forced to choose between their parents or grandparents over and over again. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame. A child might believe that they are undeserving of positive emotions because of their actions, such as stealing or avoiding chores. These negative emotions can become toxic and have lasting effects on a child’s mental health.
Abandoned children who are institutionalized may have high levels of shame and guilt because they have internalized the messages they received as children from their parents, such as the message that it’s not okay to make mistakes or show genuine emotions. These beliefs can have lasting impacts on their ability to develop relationships and be successful in their lives.
The incidence of child abandonment varies by province. For example, in regions with strict family planning policies and son-preference cultures, there is a higher likelihood that girls will be abandoned. The regional profile of child abandonment is shown in Fig. 2. This graph shows that in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, abandonment of girls is much higher than in Fujian, Guangdong, and Shandong, where there is a lower adoption rate for female children. These differences demonstrate the importance of developing comprehensive policies and interventions that address both systemic issues and individual child needs. Moreover, they must be tailored to the local context to ensure that all children can live in safety and thrive. This requires a multifaceted approach, which should include prevention programs, access to social services, and support for abandoned children. In addition, governments should prioritise these efforts in their national development strategies and policies.