Implications of inter generational trauma

Implications of inter generational trauma

Introduction

In simple terms, the word trauma refers to the reaction of a person to a major catastrophic event that leaves them unable to come to terms with it. Intergenerational trauma, on the other hand, is the trauma passed down from the first generation of the survivors who were affected directly or witnessed traumatic occurrences to future generations. In most cases, it is passed through parenting practices, violence, behavioural problems, mental health issues and harmful substance use. In fact, many children in indigenous communities face trauma directly in response to such factors as violence, child abuse and neglect and substance abuse. This trauma attributes to various factors that were evident in the 19^th century, mainly colonization. Others include the forced removal of people from their indigenous homes and some harsh government policies. Its effects are enormous and deadly, as will be covered in the main body.

Why Residential Schools?

Canada is the one of the countries that were faced with intergenerational trauma to its indigenous families due to the residential schools. One of the government policies during the colonial error that has stood out as the most damaging to the indigenous people. Residential school was a system designed to eradicate the language, cultural traditions and religious beliefs of indigenous children to absorb them into Canadian society. As agreed by both the government and church leaders, the main aim of the residential schools was to civilize and Christianize Aboriginal children.

The law required that children of as low as three years of age leave their families and communities to live at such schools. These institutions taught aboriginal children to be ashamed of their languages, cultural beliefs and traditional practices, and were mostly ineffective in providing proper or even adequate education.

Implications

The residential schools had numerous impacts on the indigenous families. Affected were both children who were forced to these schools and parents who separated with kids as a result of this order. The effects have been causing intergenerational trauma to such families since the colonial era till date. Let us have a closer look at a number of these effects.

Residential schools caused psychological trauma to the children who were taken to the schools. The parents losing the children were also adversely affected, since there was no complete agreement between them and the government before such separation happened. This generally caused mental stress to the whole society.

The children attending these schools were forced to forget their indigenous languages. Young people tend to easily let go of their mother tongue when often exposed to some other foreign languages. This, therefore, left them with no roots of their original language.

Apart from the language, their original cultural traditions eradicated. The government wanted to instil some modern ways of behavior and customs to ensure that by the time the child becomes a grown-up and leaves the school, there will be absolutely no parent culture in them.

Most of their spiritual beliefs were also eroded while in residential schools. The government wanted to ensure that the whole nation was Christianized. The local religious beliefs proved unpleasant, unappealing and unsuitable for the country, hence the need to eliminate them.

The people are faced with a lack of identity in the society. They are unable to identify themselves due to lack of a community, parenting and even a language. The rate at which they interact with others in the society is always limited.

From the start, the main aim of these institutions was not to provide education to the pupils. This means that the pupils attending such schools did not receive an adequate knowledge. They were only being assimilated to the Canadian society.

The system caused physical trauma to the children. The environment in the institutions was not conducive for small children. They experienced a lot of mistreatment since only a parent can take good care of a child at such a tender age. Conditions like heavy work and corporal punishment le

They were not provided with enough basic needs, especially food.  This means they were suffering from malnutrition. Therefore, diseases were a common phenomenon in such places. With little or no medical care, many of them passed on. The mortality rate was, therefore, very high.

Drug and substance abuse was also common. Drugs and alcohol were common during the colonial era. Since the colonial governments were operating these schools, it, therefore, follows that there was excessive abuse even up to the children.

There was also sexual harassment in those institutions. Little children are always vulnerable to rape cases because they can’t protect themselves from the perpetrators. An older man who is drunk would often take advantage of such helpless kids.

People who have experienced such lives are always faced with domestic violence. A hard life at an earlier age would generally result in a life full of war in the future. These families rarely enjoy the peace that is expected of them. The ability to understand one another is greatly diminished.

Cases of self-harm may also be present in such homes. This is because of the problematic life undergone by its members. Some go ahead and even attempt to commit suicide. They tend to get tired with the issues of life and end up killing themselves.

Conclusion

As explained above, residential schools in Canada has caused numerous impacts of intergenerational trauma to indigenous families. These effects are still evident in the modern days. However, efforts have been made to help those affected come out of the wound.