"The separation of young children from their parents happens for many reasons, including death, divorce, incarceration, natural disasters, and immigration policy. The circumstances that disrupt or sever the attachment may differ, but the potential for lasting wounds is almost always present."
"A sudden and prolonged separation has an incalculable impact on a child. The younger the children are, the less equipped they are to cope with stress on their own. The comfort and sense of safety that a trusted parent can provide is a critical buffer against the negative effects of stress. An abrupt, lasting separation from a parent constitutes extreme stress; an extra wallop comes from the fact that the very person the child would usually turn to for comfort is gone."
Early attachment to primary caregivers ensures survival, physical health, and provides the context for neurobiological and mental development. Attachment fosters empathy, regulation and balance of intense feelings, and the development of cognitive capacities. Environmental opportunities and dangers interact with brain development, and the continuing presence of important relationships mediates those influences by providing safety and coping skills. Sudden, prolonged separation from a primary attachment figure constitutes extreme stress for children, with younger children least able to cope alone. Prolonged exposure to stress without protective relationships undermines stress regulation and can impair future relationships and sense of self.
Read at Psychology Today
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