When we think of childhood, we often imagine happy memories surrounded by loving and protective parents. However, for some people, this reality is just a distant dream. They grew up without any parental support, abandoned to their own devices and having to face a sometimes hostile world. This lack of affection and protection can leave deep traces and lead to specific behaviors. In this article, we explore five typical behaviors of people who grew up without parental support and how it affects their lives.
1. Difficulty establishing lasting relationships
For individuals deprived of parental support, it is difficult to form healthy and lasting relationships with others. Indeed, the lack of a stable family model often prevented them from learning to communicate effectively and manage their emotions.
Distrust of others
Lack of self-confidence and fear of rejection can cause these people to distrust others. This distrust often manifests itself in a difficulty expressing one’s feelings, in feeling truly close to someone, or even a tendency to constantly question the sincerity of others. Over time, these defensive strategies often end up sabotaging attempts to build lasting, harmonious relationships.
2. Self-esteem issues
When a person grows up without parental support, their self-esteem can be profoundly affected. To protect themselves, the individual can develop different strategies to mask their suffering.
Overadaptation or withdrawal
In search of approval, some people attempt to achieve perfection in all aspects of their lives and seek to excel in their studies, work, or physical appearance. This need to succeed at all costs can lead to mental and emotional exhaustion. Conversely, other people choose to wall themselves off in near-constant solitude, living with the mistaken belief that they do not deserve the love and attention of others.
3. Insensitivity to the pain of others
Individuals who grew up without parental support can sometimes seem insensitive to the pain of others. This behavior is partly explained because these people often had to face painful and traumatic situations from a very young age.
Difficulty expressing and understanding emotions
It is not uncommon for these individuals to have difficulty translating their own emotions, but also understanding those of others. Consequently, they are sometimes perceived as cold or indifferentalthough deep down they may feel some empathy.
4. Tendency to self-sabotage
Children who grew up without parental support often develop self-sabotaging behaviors in their relationships, careers, and lives in general. This tendency may be due to a deep fear of failure coupled with a persistent feeling of illegitimacy.
Self-sabotage as an emotional shield
These people sometimes use self-sabotage to protect themselves against disappointment, convincing themselves that they would not have succeeded anyway. For example, they may sabotage a promising romantic relationship for fear of being abandoned again or avoid applying for an interesting job for fear of not being good enough.
5. The constant search for affection
Finally, individuals deprived of parental support are often in search of love and affection. This unfulfilled need can lead them to adopt different risky behaviors, some of which can have serious consequences on their lives.
Emotional dependence and toxic relationships
Emotional dependence is a common problem among people who grew up without parental support. They may desperately seek love and attention from unsavory individuals, clinging to toxic and destructive relationships. This quest for affection can also push them to make impulsive or dangerous decisions for their own health and well-being.
Growing up without parental support is a difficult reality that can leave many emotional scars on those affected. The typical behaviors we have explored in this article are not fixed, but they can persist long after the individual has left childhood. Becoming aware of these behaviors and working on yourself to improve them can, however, help to mitigate the effects of this difficult childhood and thus lead a more fulfilling life.
