The Signs of Abandonment

Abandoned children are those that have been ignored, neglected or abused by their parents and/or caregivers. Abandonment is a type of emotional child abuse that is not only harmful to a child’s mental health but also may affect their physical well being, as abandoned children are at a higher risk for poor nutrition, lack of access to basic healthcare and illness. Recognizing the signs of abandonment trauma is an important first step in combating this widespread problem and helping these vulnerable children find a healthy way forward in life.

Often, the cause of abandonment is linked to poverty and lack of resources. This is true all over the world, where many families struggle to meet their basic needs. In addition, the social stigma attached to a parent or family member’s alcohol or drug addiction can often lead to abandonment, as can financial issues that prevent a parent from affording childcare.

Psychological abandonment impacts occur when a bioparent gives custody of their child to another adult, such as an older sibling or relative, daycare provider or caretaker, au pair or nanny. It can also occur when a child is hospitalized for extended periods of time and loses regular contact with their parents; or when a parent takes on work that requires them to be away from home, like foreign military service.

Children that have been emotionally abandoned may experience a wide range of symptoms, including an inability to trust others, feelings of extreme jealousy, an unhealthy need for closeness and an irrational fear of being alone. Those with these emotional scars may have a hard time maintaining healthy relationships, and they may engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as self-harm or substance use. Some may even become incarcerated or involved with illegal activities, as they continue to struggle to cope with their past experiences.

In addition, abandoned children may have physical health problems due to their neglectful and often dangerous environments. In some cases, they are not properly fed, clothed or washed, and live in filthy conditions. They may sleep in doorways or other makeshift shelters, and they may be forced to steal or sell goods to survive. In other cases, they may turn to prostitution or temporary labor for income, as they can no longer count on their abandoning parents to support them.

The impact of child abandonment is long-lasting and can impact a person’s entire life. Even adults who were not abandoned as children can have a fear of abandonment, though this is often related to unmet needs, such as a desire for love and attention. Children with these fears can be prone to panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder and an inability to feel a sense of safety. In addition, they are prone to depression and anxiety and can have difficulty concentrating at school.

How to Write for Kids

A child is a human being between birth and puberty. The term may also refer to a developing human embryo or fetus. Legally, children are classed as minors and are not considered to have the same rights or responsibilities as adults, and must be under the care of an adult at all times. The definition of a child varies by culture, perspective, and religion. For example, Christian belief focuses on the value and uniqueness of children and sees them as gifts from God endowed with purpose and belonging.

If you want to write for kids, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the kind of world they live in. Kids are a lot more sophisticated these days, and they want articles that relate to their lifestyles and interests. For example, kids in small-town America might still enjoy swimming at the local pool, but those in suburban and urban areas are likely to be more interested in youth soccer or skateboarding.

To write for kids, you’ll need to understand their language and thinking. Start with a list of the topics that interest them and brainstorm what you’ll need to do to write about those ideas. This will help you create an outline for your article and guide you as you do research.

You’ll also need to decide on a reading level for your article and keep this in mind while writing. Use MS Word’s Flesch-Kincaid grade level tool to help you with this. It will rate the number of syllables per word and words per sentence, and tell you what grade level your text is. Try to aim for a grade level around 8 or 9, but don’t feel you have to dumb down your writing to reach this audience.

Once you’ve done the research and decided on a topic, start writing your article. Take your time and write clearly so that kids will be able to read it easily. If possible, read your article aloud to someone who can give you feedback.

Once you’re finished, you can publish your article. Make sure to follow the Young Children submission guidelines, and don’t forget to include the necessary documentation, such as tables and figures. Also, be sure to use pseudonyms for the names of any children in your article and to avoid identifying any workplaces/schools/programs. This will help ensure that your work meets the publication’s criteria for blind review.