After constantly being told they are "stupid", "not good enough", or "worthless" a child will start to believe it. What becomes harmful to the child according to the American Humane Association is " the persistent, chronic pattern that erodes and corrodes a child" (quoted in Gararino). The pain of what is being said starts to eat away at a child until they can no longer think straight. As June Hunt says " Emotional abuse strikes at the very core of who we are, crushing our confidence, wearing away our sense of worth, crushing our spirit" (Hunt 17-18). Children start to think everything they do is wrong and don 't think they can ever please their parent or guardian. They seek the approval of their parents which sometimes they can never get. They are always being put down and attacked by words or hurtful looks/actions. As a result of this children can begin to hate themselves. In some cases they often believe that they are the problem " They think of themselves as worthless, damaged, unloved, [ or unwanted]"( Hornor 2). Children affected by emotional abuse think something is wrong with them, when in fact it is the abuser that has the problem. Degrading looks, obscene gestures, or threatening behaviors can inflict immense pain and impede a child 's emotional growth. (Hunt 15). The actions of an abuser cause the child to feel horrible about themselves and ruin a their self esteem/self
After constantly being told they are "stupid", "not good enough", or "worthless" a child will start to believe it. What becomes harmful to the child according to the American Humane Association is " the persistent, chronic pattern that erodes and corrodes a child" (quoted in Gararino). The pain of what is being said starts to eat away at a child until they can no longer think straight. As June Hunt says " Emotional abuse strikes at the very core of who we are, crushing our confidence, wearing away our sense of worth, crushing our spirit" (Hunt 17-18). Children start to think everything they do is wrong and don 't think they can ever please their parent or guardian. They seek the approval of their parents which sometimes they can never get. They are always being put down and attacked by words or hurtful looks/actions. As a result of this children can begin to hate themselves. In some cases they often believe that they are the problem " They think of themselves as worthless, damaged, unloved, [ or unwanted]"( Hornor 2). Children affected by emotional abuse think something is wrong with them, when in fact it is the abuser that has the problem. Degrading looks, obscene gestures, or threatening behaviors can inflict immense pain and impede a child 's emotional growth. (Hunt 15). The actions of an abuser cause the child to feel horrible about themselves and ruin a their self esteem/self