Okay but how is this our problem? What’s the context?
Thank you, like what does this have to do with me? I’m supposed to be considerate of what here, a lack of socialization?
Understand that this is a public health issue. Understand that it’s society’s job to step in when parents fail. Every time something is supposed to be “their parents’ job,” these kids don’t get it.
Understand that kids like this miss a critical early learning period for social connections and are going to be playing catch-up for the rest of their lives.
Understand that this is overwhelmingly caused by poverty, crime, racism, mental health problems, poor housing, mass incarceration, bad work conditions, and the breakdown of the extended family. A lot of parents would be better if all their time, attention, coping and physical presence weren’t eaten up by trying to do too much with too few resources.
Understand that this is why we need strong public schools, free after-school programs, early mental health intervention, Home Ec in highschools. It’s why we need a higher minimum wage and cheaper housing. It’s why we need laws that make sense when it comes to who to throw in jail and who to set free.
Understand that a neglectful or abusive childhood is linked to later health problems like heart disease, diabetes, weight problems, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. It’s also a leading cause of mental health issues and addiction. We have to accept that people who have these problems weren’t in control of the circumstances that made them vulnerable, and they can’t be shamed or punished into no longer having them.
And yeah, we need to give adults with neglectful childhoods more understanding, more acceptance, more time, and more resources to make up for what they missed out on.
