Trauma can be felt for generations to come. The scars left by war, genocide, and other forms of violence can be passed down from parents to children, creating a cycle of trauma and suffering that can be difficult to break. There is an insidious nature of intergenerational trauma. The effects of trauma can be passed down in subtle ways, such as through parenting styles, cultural practices, and even epigenetic changes that can alter gene expression. This means that trauma responses can be deeply ingrained in individuals and communities, making it difficult to identify and address. Furthermore, the impact of intergenerational trauma can be felt not only on an individual level but on a societal level as well. Communities that have experienced trauma may struggle with issues such as poverty, substance abuse, and domestic violence, perpetuating a cycle of disadvantage that can be difficult to break. This highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of trauma, including social inequality, discrimination, and conflict. Children are defenceless against the complexity of hardship that a lot of families face currently but going back in time it was, ostensibly, a lot harder. If you consider the Victorian era, which spanned from 1837 to 1901, the treatment of children was vastly different than it is today. Children were often seen as miniature adults, and as such, were subjected to harsh working conditions and strict social norms. For many Victorian children, life was difficult from the moment they were born. Infant mortality rates were high, and those who survived were often subject to neglect and abuse. Many babies were sent away to be raised by wet nurses, leaving them without the nurturing care they needed during their formative years. As they grew older, many children were sent to work in factories or mines. These jobs were often dangerous and physically demanding, and many children suffered serious injuries or even death as a result. They were also subjected to long hours and low pay, leaving them with little time or energy to pursue an education or enjoy childhood activities. Even those who were fortunate enough to attend school often faced difficult conditions. Classrooms were often overcrowded, and teachers were expected to maintain strict discipline. Punishment was often severe, and children who misbehaved could be subject to physical abuse or humiliation. Shaping children through fear and humiliation has a profound detrimental effect on children. Global atrocities such as slavery or the Holocaust have had a profound and lasting impact on our world, shaping the course of history and leaving deep scars on the human psyche. These atrocities have caused immeasurable suffering, trauma, and loss for countless individuals and communities, and their legacies continue to be felt today. Slavery, which has existed in various forms throughout history, has been particularly devastating in the context of the transatlantic slave trade. From the 16th to the 19th century, millions of Africans were forcibly taken from their homes and transported to the Americas to work as slaves, enduring brutal conditions, abuse, and exploitation. This system of forced labor not only stripped individuals of their dignity and freedom, but also changed people’s feelings about their identities and understanding of their cultural history. The Holocaust, one of the darkest chapters in human history, saw the systematic murder of six million Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II. This genocide, motivated by anti-Semitic ideology, also targeted other marginalized groups such as Roma people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities. The Holocaust represents the ultimate failure of humanity to uphold the value of human life and dignity, and serves as a reminder of the dangers of intolerance and hatred. There are countless of these mass tragedies, for instance the Rwandan genocide, which saw the mass killing of approximately 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus by Hutu extremists in 1994; the Cambodian genocide, in which an estimated 1.7 million people were killed by the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s; and the Syrian civil war, which has resulted in the displacement of millions of people and ongoing humanitarian crises. Herero and Nama genocide, which occurred in what is now Namibia between 1904 and 1908, during German colonial rule. The German forces implemented a brutal campaign of violence and forced labor against the Herero and Nama peoples, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 65,000-80,000 people. This genocide is considered to be one of the first of the 20th century and had long-lasting effects on the people of Namibia, including the loss of land, resources, and cultural heritage. The legacy of this tragedy is still being felt today, and efforts are ongoing to address the injustices committed and promote reconciliation These events have had a lasting impact on the individuals and communities affected, as well as broader political and social dynamics. They have had far-reaching consequences for our world, impacting not only the individuals and communities directly affected, but also shaping broader social and political dynamics. The legacy can be seen in the ongoing racial disparities and inequalities that persist in many parts of the world, as well as the complex cultural and historical dynamics. They also have a profound impact on global consciousness and shared history and it is so important to remember and inform how we move forward but if you consider that right now there is a conversation happening about bringing back Jim Crow Laws in Mississippi then it is apparent we are not completely learning from our mistakes. The conversation has reached the House and they want to take it to the Senate to get passed. This is devastating. If you have spent a lifetime not being able to trust your environment and all you have known is pain and suffering, how do you go on to show compassion. If you know by the mere fact that, the way you look or what you think or who you love can make you a target that could end your life, what would you tell your children in order to help them survive a world you perceive as brutal and dangerous. If we ever want to solve the problems we face now with the mental health crisis and the poor mental health of our children and adults then we need to go to the inception of where it starts and think about how we see childhood and what we are creating for our future.