PSYC 101 essays

PSYC 101 essays The Effects of Trauma on Family Members and Processes In Lenore Terrs Too Scared to Cry In Lenore Terrs book, Too Scared to Cry, the author describes the effects of a traumatic event on the family of the traumatized person. The family processes are disrupted, and the family members of the victim of trauma can be deeply affected. In the book, Terr describes several families who have been forever changed by the traumatic event, and these specific cases illustrate the contagious nature of trauma, and the branching out of trauma of a single individual to the ordeal of the family of the traumatized. One case Terr describes was that of the Banks family of Chowchilla. Both children, Tania and Benji, were victims of the Chowchilla bus kidnapping. At the time of the event, Tania was 8, and Benji, 5. Both children were traumatized by the kidnapping. Tania, originally described by her family as a happy and outgoing child, underwent a severe personality change after the kidnapping. Because she was prevented from going camping with her parents and their cousins by a no children rule, the kidnapping, for her, was linked to this anger and resentment at her family. In fact, when Terr describes her visits with the Banks family, she outlines in detail Tanias angry personality, though her anger is not focused on the kidnappers or even her parents (consciously), but the world around her. She became racist and bigoted, tormented her brother, withdrew from social activity, and lost interest in school (p.55). The kidnapping also took a toll on the Banks parents, Harry and Lois. They se emed to be unable to find an outlet for their emotions, as well. Harry began writing a song about the event (though later, he was unable to sing the unfinished work). Lois felt the need to talk about the kidnapping to anyone who would listen (in fact, other parents of kidnapped children became angry at her big mouth"...