Psychology
The importance
of the human touch on our psychological development can not be stressed
enough. Experts believe that by being held as a baby might have a
lot to do with healthy stress response patterns later in life. (Mercola,
Joseph). Childhood trauma and neglect also play a part in later behaviors.
It is no wonder that the Romanian orphans suffer psychological problems
both inside the orphanages and once they have been removed.
Inside Romanian
orphanages it is not uncommon to see children rocking themselves, talking
in a language of their own or attacking themselves. This form of
self-stimulation is a result of institutionalization and neglect.
The lack of stimulation and physical touch in their surroundings causes
them to go into a detach and defend mode to fight their depression. (Federici).
In “Changing a Child’s World,” Leslie McCarthy witnessed this a form
of this self-stimulating behavior in response to her trying to hug him.
“One little boy liked to run and hit the wall, bounce off, fall down, get
up, and then start the process over again.”
Play is also
very important in the development of our neurology and social behaviors.
Children learn how to react socially to each other through games of pretend.
The lack of play the Romanian orphans’ experience causes regression in
their neurological development and their brains have been found to be 20-30%
smaller than those of the same age group. (Brown). Once out of the
orphanages the orphans often have trouble expressing emotions or being
able to sense the emotions of other do to their lack of human involvement.
They are often seen as aggressive or clingy.
The trials
the orphans suffer in the Romanian orphanages set them up for a life of
social problems and developmental delays once they are removed. They
suffer from poor social interactions, verbal skills and problems with the
general process of living and surviving in a world that is very different
that the one they have accustomed themselves to.
Works Cited
McCarthy, Leslie. “Inside a Romanian Orphanage.” About.com
Library Weekly 2000.
February 21, 2002.
http://adoption.about.com/library/weekly/aa103000a.htm?iam=dpile&terms=Romanian+Orphans
Brown, Pei-San, “Play is Essential for Brain Development.” May 1, 2002.
May 1, 2002.
http://www.ipema.org/newrel5.asp
Federici, Steven. “The Post-Institutionalized Child” May 3, 1999. February
21, 2002.
http://www.drfederici.com/dr.htm