This paper concerns a theme which affects everyone: childhood and adolescence at risk. Abandonment, neglect as well as physical, sexual and psychological abuse of children and adolescents are real and often recurrent in their lives. Psychoanalytic literature sustains the idea that early experiences of deprivation cause important sequels to emotional development and might leave everlasting consequences. The theoretical approach developed in this study shows that children and adolescents who are victimized present difficulties investing in themselves and in others. As a result, they present symptoms of difficult adjustment in personal, social, school, institutional and family areas. It is essential for them to overcome such traumatic past experiences in order to enable such children and adolescents to develop in a more healthier way and to enhance their potential.
Helplessness; Deprivation; Childhood; Developmental delay; Violent behavior