Verbal abuse is an abuse without physical contact, but simply by using words and insults. It is described as a negative defining statement told to the victim or about the victim. Verbal abuse is therefore any language or behaviour that seeks to compel a child to doubt their views/beliefs of their abilities. The effects of verbal abuse on children include substance abuse (more prevalent in males), physical aggression, delinquency, and social problems.
The more verbally aggressive the parent or adult including teachers, the more pronounced the problem. The relationship between these problems and verbal aggression does not depend on the child’s age, sex, or economic status. The effects are similar for all children who experience it. Parents who tell their children that they are dumb, bad, etc, raise children who think they are dumb or bad and act as such.
Verbal abuse also causes people to feel fear. It affects the emotions of children and also leads to health problems as well.
Let’s build our children up with our words, even when they make mistakes. There’s always another way to correct a child.