Covert Emotional Neglect

Covert Emotional Neglect refers to a parent's failure to recognize and respond to their child's emotional needs in a subtle, often unintentional manner. Unlike overt neglect, where a child’s basic needs are visibly ignored, covert emotional neglect can be more insidious. It manifests as a lack of emotional support, validation, or guidance, leaving the child feeling unseen, unvalued, or emotionally abandoned. This can lead to difficulties in forming healthy relationships and coping with emotions later in life, as the child may struggle to identify or articulate their feelings due to the absence of appropriate emotional acknowledgment during their upbringing.