The nucleus of society is the family, whatever its form, and the loss of a relative can mark children for the rest of their lives. Even more traumatic could be if this loss is forced. This has been demonstrated by a US investigation that began as a result of the forced separation implemented by the Trump government, which concludes: the separation of families has harmful long-term psychological and health consequences for children, families, and communities. .
Dozens of children were separated from their parents at the US border
Context
The family separation policy, described by the Trump administration as part of its “zero tolerance” policy, was implemented in April 2018 and, after immense political and citizen opposition, was suspended for an indefinite period on June 20. 2018, through an executive order. On June 26, a Federal District Court issued a nationwide injunction ordering the cessation of the policy and the reunification of the children with their parents.
“Although US immigration has discontinued the practice of separating families at the border, it is unclear when families separated prior to the implementation of the new policy will be reunited,” said Linda Halgunseth, co-author of the Latino Caucus report. and Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Connecticut. “Detaining families indefinitely is also detrimental to children in the long run,” she added.
Research
Research published in June of this year titled “The Science Is Clear: Family Separation Has Harmful Long-Term Health and Psychological Consequences for Children, Families, and Communities” led by Johayra Bouza of the University of Miami shows the consequences for all those involved in the forced separation process.
This publication documents the far-reaching effects of these separations in adulthood, including increased risk of mental health problems, lack of social functioning, insecure attachment, stress, and mortality.
Impact
According to specialists, there are consequences of different types:
- Parents buffer children from the adverse effects of toxic stress: Stress inflicted, physiologically and psychologically in early life, including separation from parents, changes the way the body responds to stress in the long term, disrupting order. higher cognitive and affective processes, as well as negatively alters brain structures and functioning
- Separation of Children from Parents Affects Children of All Ages: Stressors during adolescence can have a lasting impact, the effects of which may not be apparent until adulthood. Additionally, the effects of traumatic experiences are cumulative; children and adolescents who have already faced previous adversity are particularly susceptible to long-term negative consequences.
- Impact on US Citizens: Separation from parents increases American children’s risk of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, behavior problems, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. US citizens of Latino descent also report raised shocks and concerns for their families and communities.
Despite the fact that the separation policy was stopped last June, there are still dozens of children who have not been able to be reunited with their relatives, and do not know when they will be able to do so.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Society for Research in Child Development