When you’re on the other side of emotional abuse by parents, it can change the way you view parental love. Having parents and family isn’t a safe and loving thing anymore, it just feels dark, lonely, and scary. There are different ways how parents abuse children emotionally, and knowing everything in detail can help you deal with it better.
So, how do parents abuse children, and what are the different types of abuse by parents? Read on to find out more.
6 types of emotional abuse by parents
There are six known types of emotional abuse by narcissistic parents.
- Rejection
Narcissistic parents or caregivers who display dismissive behavior toward a child often [intentionally or unconsciously] let the child know, in a variety of ways, that they are not wanted. Devaluing or belittling a child is one form these types of emotional abuse may take.
Other examples could include telling the child to leave or worse, getting out of your face, calling them names or telling the child they are worthless, making the child the family scapegoat, or blaming them for family/sibling problems. Refusing to talk to a young child or holding him while he is developing can also be considered abuse.
Constant criticism
The caller’s name
Telling the child that he is ugly
Yelling or swearing at the child
Frequent belittling and using labels such as “stupid” or “idiot”
Constant insulting jokes
verbal humiliation
Constant teasing about a child’s body type and/or weight
Expressing regret that the child was not born of the opposite sex
Refuse hugs and loving gestures
physical abandonment
Excluding the child from family activities
Treating a teenager like a child
Expulsion of the child from the family
Not allowing the child to make his own reasonable decisions
Related: How To Know If You’re Dating A Narcissist
- Ignore
Adults who have few of their own emotional needs are often unable to respond to their children’s needs. They may not show attachment to the child or provide positive care. They may show no interest in the child, withhold affection or even fail to recognize the child’s presence.
Many times the parent is physically present but not emotionally available. Failure to respond to or interact with your child, consistently, constitutes emotional and psychological abuse.
There is no response to the infant’s spontaneous social behaviors
Lack of interest in important events in a child’s life
Lack of interest in education, peers, etc.
Refuse to discuss your child’s activities and interests
Plan activities/vacations without including your child
Non-acceptance of the child’s offspring
Denial of required healthcare
Denial of required dental care
Not involving the child in daily activities
Not protecting the child
- Intimidation
Parents who use threats, yelling, and swearing cause serious psychological damage to their children. It is offensive to single out one child for criticizing her, punishing her, or mocking her for showing normal feelings. Threatening a child with harsh words, physical harm, abandonment or, in extreme cases, death is not acceptable.
Even in jest, causing a child to feel terrified by using threats and/or intimidating behavior is one of the worst forms of emotional abuse. This includes witnessing, hearing, or knowing that violence is occurring in the home.
Excessive harassment
Screaming, cursing, and intimidation
Extreme and unexpected reactions to the child’s behavior
Severe verbal threats
Rough, alternating with periods of warmth
Threat to abandon
Raising family members in front of or within earshot of a child
Threatening to destroy a favorite thing
Threatening to harm a beloved pet
Forcing the child to witness inhumane acts
Inconsistent demands on the child
Showing inconsistent emotions
Changing the “rules of the game”
Threatening to adopt the child or that it does not belong
Taunting the child in public
Threatening to reveal deeply embarrassing traits to peers
Threatening to kick a teenager out of the house
A 1995 telephone survey suggested that by the time the child was two years old, 90% of families had used one or more forms of psychological aggression in the previous 12 months.
Related: How Your Emotional Thinking Excuses The Narcissist’s Toxicity
- Solitude
A parent who is abusing a child through isolation may not allow the child to participate in appropriate activities with peers; The child may be kept in their room, unstimulated, or they may prevent the teen from participating in extracurricular activities.
Asking a child to stay in their room from the time the school allows out until the next morning, restricting eating, or forcing a child to be isolated or isolated by keeping them away from family and friends can be devastating and count as emotional abuse depending on the circumstances and severity.
Leaving the child unattended for long periods
Remove the child from the family
Not allowing the child to have friends
Not allowing the child to interact with other children
Reward the child for withdrawing from social contact
Ensure that the child looks and behaves differently from his peers
Isolate the child from peers or social groups
Insisting on excessive studying and/or housework
Prevent the child from participating in activities outside the home
Punish the child for engaging in normal social experiments
- Spoil
Spoiled parents may allow children to use drugs or alcohol, witness cruel behavior towards animals, watch or watch inappropriate sexual content, or watch or participate in criminal activities such as theft, assault, prostitution, gambling, etc.
Encouraging a minor child to do things that are illegal or harmful is offensive and should be reported.
Rewarding the child for bullying and/or teasing
Teaching about racism, ethnic prejudice, or bigotry
Encouraging violence in sports activities
Inappropriate reinforcement of sexual activity
Reward the child for lying and stealing
Rewarding the child for drug use or sexual activity
Supplying a child with drugs, alcohol, and other prohibited substances
Promoting illegal activities such as selling drugs
Related: 10 Unexpected Things To Expect After Leaving A Toxic Relationship
