By Ann Muro
In college I majored in behavioral psychology. One of the required psychology classes was child psychology. In that class, we discussed separation anxiety in children and its long-term effects. A child may experience such anxiety when separated from his or her parents, similar to the situation that the detained immigrant children are experiencing now, or even something as simple as suddenly being cared for by a new babysitter.
The reality is that the immigrant children may suffer long-term effects that will result in trauma. Those who suffer from separation anxiety have even become xenophobic (fear of strangers). It is interesting to note here that often when a child’s parents get divorced, the child blames himself or herself for the breakup, asking themselves, “What did I do that caused this?” The same holds true as some of the immigrant children may blame themselves, thinking, “Why did mom do this? Was it something I did?”
It is so sad to too see and hear the videos of children crying. There are other situations that have to be addressed, such as those children with health issues or even 12-year-old girls who may experience menstruation for the first time and panic, not knowing what is happening with their bodies. Once traumatized, these children may have anxiety and panic attacks.
We heard so many politicos use the word “compassion.” Many have also claimed they are religious. This is not about one’s faith or religion – it is pure politics. President Donald Trump kept saying the Democrats and Congress were the only ones who could change the so-called law, and yet he was the one who changed it by executive order.
There are more than 2,000 children who need special care and special attention, and locating and returning them to their parents should be our priority. One can only wonder how many children will go missing into the system and never be found.
