Breaking the Silence: Understanding the Childhood Abandonment, Its Lasting Impact on Childhood, and the Path Towards Healing and Awareness

Abstract

Childhood abandonment is a complex social and psychological issue that has lasting effects on emotional well-being, development, and social integration. This study, Breaking the Silence: Understanding Childhood Abandonment, Its Lasting Impact on Childhood, and the Path Toward Healing and Awareness, examines the causes of abandonment—including poverty, parental vulnerabilities, cultural stigma, and systemic failures—while analyzing its consequences such as trauma, attachment disorders, educational difficulties, and intergenerational cycles of instability. Guided by Attachment Theory, Trauma Theory, and Resilience Theory, the study highlights the importance of trauma-informed interventions, caregiver training, community-based support, and resilience-building as effective paths to recovery. It further emphasizes the need for public awareness, survivor storytelling, and policy reforms to dismantle stigma, strengthen family support systems, and prevent future cases. The study concludes that breaking the silence around abandonment is essential not only for survivors’ healing but also as a societal responsibility to protect vulnerable children and promote lasting reintegration.