Facets of Emotional Abuse
Faced by Children from Authority Figures in Schools
Listed here are some forms of emotional abuse one would commonly notice in context to schools or colleges
1. Being the target of constant criticism or humiliation:
The feedback being given to the child is overly critical and not objective.
The child’s efforts often go unnoticed, but their mistakes get highlighted.
They do not get any appreciation, or words of encouragement when they are successful. Instead they are belittled, shouted at or called names like ‘back bencher’, ‘loser’ and ‘failure’ for every mistake.
Most of the comments the child is subjected to are disproportionate to the severity of the error made. Comments made with the undertones of sarcasm to hurt the child make them feel insulted and put-down in front of their peers.
2. Deliberately silencing the child and using threats while admonishing them:
For example, the child being told that they will incur penalties in their exam papers or will be withheld a year if they do not follow a specific protocol in class.
3. Conveying to children that they are valued only when they meet the teacher’s expectations:
Such exchanges with authority figures usually make the child feel inadequate, unloved or rejected.
4. Blaming/Scapegoating the child:
This is the practice of singling out a child and putting unwarranted blame on them.
This can be done by an individual teacher or even a group of academicians. Here, a rational and reasonable discussion would not be possible often due to the power dynamics involved in the situation.
5. Not recognizing a child’s own individuality:
The child is not given opportunities to express their views. Their personal agency is taken away. They are completely controlled by the rules of the institution, which gives no space for dialogue or individual differences.
A single domain — academic results, is given value over all other, e.g. the child might have intrinsic strengths and leanings toward sports or music, but these qualities are not nurtured or even recognized.
6. Pushing a child too hard or, not recognizing their limitations:
The child might have conditions that are impacting their education (learning difficulties, etc). These vulnerabilities are often overlooked. Such limitations are beyond the child’s control, yet they are degraded for it.
7. Developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children:
Preventing the child from participating in age appropriate social activities or social interactions. Example: Not allowing them to have friends from the opposite gender, shaming them from having friends, or interacting with boys/girls.
8. Witnessing the ill treatment of another child can cause vicarious trauma in children.
Author: Parmeet Soni
Parmeet is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and one of the co-creators of Purple Speaks. To know more about her work, visit here.
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