Additionally, parental influence also shapes ones psychosocial perception" (De Sousa, 2009). These research findings thus imply that children with cleft palate are viewed as less attractive, less bright, and engaging in less positive social behavior. This means that engaging in collective society, interacting with peers and with adults is simply harder for children with cleft palate. This research implies that these children are at a decisive disadvantage when it comes to engaging with others in society. These children are no doubt aware that they are viewed in such an inferior manner and it can only impact their self-esteem, self-worth and have an indelible mark on their self-percetion.
"The attitudes, expectations and degree of support shown by parents can influence a child's perception of their cleft impairment. Parents of children with clefts may be more tolerant of misbehavior in their child and are more likely to spoil their child by being overprotective" (De Sousa, 2009). This research finding implies that children receive special treatment or additional compensation from parents as there is either a sense of guilt or a sense of need at work. Children with a cleft palate often receive the same special treatment from parents that handicapped or autistic children receive; parents are protectors and often there to spoil their children, seldom saying no to a request. This does not do the child any favors and can too easily contribute to poor character and a demanding sensibility, such as a proclivity towards being spoiled.
Children with cleft palate often have less satisfying peer interactions; as these interactions generally reinforce negative psychosocial dynamics (De Sousa, 2009). Peer interactions are overwhelmingly negative, helping to buttress feelings of poor self-image and low self-esteem. A high incidence of teasing over facial appearance is reported among those with cleft lip and palate. A self report research study on determining the psychosocial functioning related to cleft lip and palate, showed participants with cleft lip and palate reported greater behavioral...
This is indeed an aggravated problem; children experience bullying nearly at all points in time growing up, though children with cleft palate are more vulnerable targets, given the fact that they can have mild facial deformities and have different ways of communicating. Such dynamics make socializing, a crucial part of growing up, more challenging and more difficult for children with cleft palate and can also contribute to making them easy targets for mockery and bullying.
Parents and guardians need to be as aggressive in targeting these issues as they are in giving these children medical care when they need. Children need to be as well-prepared and assisted to socialize and to be accepted into social circles as possible; such issues should be treated as pressing as the need for fluid removal from the ear canals or related issues.
Conclusion
Cleft palate is a mild deformity that can occur to a child during pregnancy; it is seen as inherited or caused by smoking while pregnant or diabetes. The good news is that there are no shortage of treatments for this condition: surgeries and clinical experts are able to provide a range of procedures to make life manageable with this condition or to correct it entirely. What happens to be underestimated about it is the severe damage that the psychological effects of this condition can create.
References
CDC.gov. (2013, July 15). Facts about Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate. Retrieved from CDC.gov: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/cleftlip.html
Cleftline.org. (2012). Parents & Individuals. Retrieved from Cleftline.org: http://www.cleftline.org/parents-individuals/
De Sousa, A. (2009). Psychological issues in cleft lip and cleft palate. J Indian Assoc Pediatr Surg, 55-58.
Medicinenet. (2013). Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip. Retrieved from Medicinenet: http://www.medicinenet.com/cleft_palate_and_cleft_lip/page3.htm#what_problems_are_associated_with_cleft_lip_andor_cleft_palate
