1. REJECTING

Narcissistic Parents or caregivers who display rejecting behavior toward a child will often [purposefully or unconsciously] let a child know, in a variety of ways, that he or she is unwanted. Putting down a child’s worth or belittling their needs is one form these types of emotional abuse may take. Other examples can include telling a child to leave or worse, to get out of your face, calling him names or telling the child that he is worthless, making a child the family scapegoat or blaming him for family/sibling problems. Refusing to talk to or holding a young child as he or she grows can also be considered abuse.

constant criticism

name-calling

telling child he/she is ugly

yelling or swearing at the child

frequent belittling and use of labels such as “stupid” or “idiot”

constant demeaning jokes

verbal humiliation

constant teasing about child’s body type and/or weight

expressing regret the child wasn’t born the opposite sex

refusing hugs and loving gestures

physical abandonment

excluding child from family activities

treating an adolescent like he is a child

expelling the child from the family

not allowing a child to make his own reasonable choices

2. IGNORING

Adults who have had few of their emotional needs met are often unable to respond to the needs of their children. They may not show attachment to the child or provide positive nurturing. They may show no interest in the child, or withhold affection or even fail to recognize the child’s presence. Many times the parent is physically there but emotionally unavailable. Failing to respond to or interact with your child, consistently, constitutes emotional and psychological abuse.

no response to infant’s spontaneous social behaviors

failure to pay attention to significant events in child’s life

lack of attention to schooling, peers, etc.

refusing to discuss your child’s activities and interests

planning activities/vacations without including your child

not accepting the child as an offspring

denying required health care

denying required dental care

failure to engage child in day to day activities

failure to protect child

3. TERRORIZING

Parents who use threats, yelling and cursing are doing serious psychological damage to their children. Singling out one child to criticize and punish or ridiculing her for displaying normal emotions is abusive. Threatening a child with harsh words, physical harm, abandonment or in extreme cases death is unacceptable. Even in jest, causing a child to be terrified by the use of threats and/or intimidating behavior is some of the worst emotional abuse. This includes witnessing, hearing or knowing that violence is taking place in the home.

excessive teasing

yelling, cursing and scaring

unpredictable and extreme responses to a child’s behavior

extreme verbal threats

raging, alternating with periods of warmth

threatening abandonment

berating family members in front of or in ear range of a child

threatening to destroy a favorite object

threatening to harm a beloved pet

forcing child to watch inhumane acts

inconsistent demands on the child

displaying inconsistent emotions

changing the “rules of the game”

threatening that the child is adopted or doesn’t belong

ridiculing a child in public

threatening to reveal intensely embarrassing traits to peers

threatening to kick an adolescent out of the house

FACT: Children and youth who witness family violence experience all six types of emotional abuse.

4. Isolating

A parent who abuses a child through isolation may not allow the child to engage in appropriate activities with his or her peers; may keep a baby in his or her room, not exposed to stimulation or may prevent teenagers from participating in extracurricular activities. Requiring a child to stay in his or her room from the time school lets out until the next morning, restricting eating, or forcing a child to isolation or seclusion by keeping her away from family and friends can be destructive and considered emotional abuse depending on the circumstances and severity.

leaving a child unattended for long periods

keeping a child away from family

not allowing a child to have friends

not permitting a child to interact with other children

rewarding a child for withdrawing from social contact

ensuring that a child looks and acts differently than peers

isolating a child from peers or social groups

insisting on excessive studying and/or chores

preventing a child from participating in activities outside the home

punishing a child for engaging in normal social experiences

5. Corrupting

Parents who corrupt may permit children to use drugs or alcohol, watch cruel behavior toward animals, watch or look at inappropriate sexual content or to witness or participate in criminal activities such as stealing, assault, prostitution, gambling, etc.

Encouraging an underage child to do things that are illegal or harmful is abusive and should be reported.

rewarding child for bullying and/or harassing behavior

teaching racism and ethnic biases or bigotry

encouraging violence in sporting activities

inappropriate reinforcement of sexual activity

rewarding a child for lying and stealing

rewarding a child for substance abuse or sexual activity

supplying child with drugs, alcohol and other illegal substances

promoting illegal activities such as selling drugs

6. Exploiting

Exploitation can be considered manipulation or forced activity without regard for a child’s need for development. For instance, repeatedly asking an eight-year-old to be responsible for the family’s dinner is inappropriate. Giving a child responsibilities that are far greater than a child of that age can handle or using a child for profit is abusive.

infants and young children expected not to cry

anger when infant fails to meet a developmental stage

a child expected to be ‘caregiver’ to the parent

a child expected to take care of younger siblings

blaming a child for misbehavior of siblings

unreasonable responsibilities around the house

expecting a child to support family financially

encouraging participation in pornography

sexually abusing child or youth

Credit to teach through love. com

http://www.teach-through-love.com/types-of-emotional-abuse.html