When someone mentions abuse, our minds automatically think of physical abuse; however, emotional abuse can be far worse to endure. This is due to the fact that the scars of emotional abuse last for several years. Scars left on the body will eventually heal over time.

When a person is physically abused, there are many signs pointing to the abuse. For instance, a child that is being physically abused will have bruises in areas that most children do not get bruises. A good example of this would be the child that has bruises on their upper thigh, back, upper arms, and head. These types of bruises are not normal childhood bruises.

Another example of emotional abuse is when a the child has been routinely criticized by either parent on issues regarding their likes and dislikes. Furthermore, the child that is emotionally abused has very low self-esteem, is withdrawn, and tends to regularly put themselves down, especially when it comes to any skills and abilities that they have. Lastly, the child is placed in charge of a younger sibling, since their parents are too drunk or too wasted to care for their children. Expecting a child to be the parent to their siblings is an excessive amount of stress for the child to endure.

When a child has been emotionally abused, you might think that there are no signs. After all, they have no visible bruises anywhere on their body. They may even come to school wearing the latest fashion trends. However, if they are indeed enduring emotional abuse, there are signs that shout it out to others. For example an emotionally abused child cannot find one positive trait that they have. They might also look as if they are extremely tired, with dark bags under their eyes. Lastly, the child might be treating his or her peers in the same manner in which their abusive parents treat them. Granted, on some levels it is normal for children to verbally attack a peer in school. Unfortunately, that is normal in our society.

Emotional abuse leaves scars that are deeply hidden within the soul of that abused child. The scars of emotional abuse usually last for years and the baggage is carried by the child well into their adult life. All the child may know is that they are not good enough to be praised or have acknowledgements given when they succeed in something. Therefore, that same child will then take the emotional abuse, in which they endure at home, and project it onto their peers and teachers.

Emotional abuse does indeed have signs. You must be open and educated about the warning signs. It is up to everyone to help the children. Our children deserve freedom to just be themselves, as well as the right to be the unique and gifted child that they are. If someone were to witness a parent emotionally abuse their children, regardless of the child's age, I sincerely hope that the adult would step in and do their best to defuse the situation and get the child help through therapy. Emotional abuse occurs so much more than our society would like to recognize. Emotional abuse is a poison to the child’s spirit. Let’s all do our part in protecting the children of our communities.