Neglect of children at the border has long-term consequences

Caitlin Dickerson’s New York Times article titled “‘There Is a Stench’: Soiled Clothes and No Baths for Migrant Children at a Texas Center” should have us all quaking. How can government lawyers argue that no soap, lights on all night, and minimal food are safe and sanitary conditions for children? Who have we become as a nation? This article prompted the Society for Research in Child Development to issue a statement about the long-term consequences of separating children from their parents. It starts, “The science is clear…” and goes on to cite well-established research studies showing that children separated from their parents experience toxic stress that has cascading negative effects on social-emotional, mental, and physical health, as well as on cognitive outcomes. Authors The Society for Research in Child Development response offers critical data that bears on the future trajectories for these children, but it does not go far enough. There is ample research to show that cleanliness, sleep, nutrition, and exercise are imperative for a growing brain. What the research shows No soap contributes to a disease-ridden environment, and children with health issues tend to have poor emotional skills and mental well-being . Common complications of not treating illnesses like flu and sinus infections, for example, include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and ear infections. Deplorable physical conditions including dirty and disorganized environments can cause depression and even aggressive, angry, or violent behavior . Lights on all night disturbs sleep patterns that can impact brain development and future learning skills. The effects of insufficient sleep on children include cognitive confusion and attention, memory, and learning problems, as well as difficulties with executive functioning skills. It is not clear whether these effects persist over the long term even if conditions improve. With minimal food , children do not get the nutrients […]

Click here to view full article