Shortform\u2019s guide to emotional intelligence<\/a>. If you like what you read here, there\u2019s plenty more to check out in the guide!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nFamily Abuse and Neglect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mother ostracizes David and essentially forces him into the role of \u201cfamily slave.\u201d<\/strong> She:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Forbids David looking at or talking to anyone<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Forces David to stand in the garage each night while his family eats dinner<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Forbids David from playing or watching TV with his brothers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Stops using David\u2019s name altogether, simply calling him \u201cthe Boy\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Forces David to sleep under the breakfast table with only newspapers for warmth; eventually she banishes him to sleep on an old army cot in the cold garage\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
By the summer before David\u2019s 11th birthday, the abuse has worsened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
David is accustomed to his role as the family slave by now. David\u2019s not allowed to look at Mother or his brothers without permission, and while the family\u2019s eating dinner, David now must sit on his hands with his head tilted back like a prisoner of war<\/strong>, as Mother says. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDavid seldom gets breakfast, even when he finishes his morning chores. While school\u2019s out for summer break, he never gets lunch. Typically, David gets dinner once every three days, but even that is contingent on him completing his chores within the time limits Mother dictates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n