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inadequate distantiation ;
inadequate differentiation;
[105]
inadequate objectification ; and
inadequate learning.
Abused children are fully aware that their parents and other adults have neglected
them. Furthermore those adults they meet usually respond with pity, disapproval,
embarrassment, or outright hostility and rejection. For these children the desire to run
away from their parents represents a desire to take control of their lives themselves
(Hickson and Gaydon 1989 : 90-91).
They have become victims of intimidation in their primary educational milieu. When
intimidated now, their response is frequently to attack and they show little respect for
authority in a misguided attempt to improve their self-image. Because of this inability
of the abused child, the relationships formed by the abused child are inadequate for
his becoming and adequate emancipation. He finds himself in a situation of
helplessness and this helplessness is reflected in his relation to reality which offers
opportunities for emancipation but which he is afraid to utilise (Van Niekerk 1987 :
22).
In the next chapter an examination of accountable support for the abused child is
undertaken.