• ROLE REVERSAL
  Often an older child is forced to accept responsibility for care of younger siblings and of the household due to the parents' inability to fulfill these functions. This child may never have had the opportunity to participate in normal childhood activities.
  
  
• AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
  Some of these children may act in an aggressive manner at home and in school, toward other siblings, children, animals and adults, This behavior may also include destruction of property and/or theft.
  
  
• VIOLENCE TOWARDS PARENTS
  When these children become adolescents or adults, they may turn on their parents.
  
  
• RUNNING AWAY
  These children may run away, perceiving this as their only alternative for escaping an unbearable home situation.
  
  
• TRUANCY
  These children often fail to atltend school. They may believe that jf they stay home their presence will keep the fighting under control, or that peers will recognize their physical and emotional deprivation and sexual abuse.
  
  
• SHY, WITHDRAWN BEHAVIOR
  These children may not interact with others. As this behavior seldom attracts attention, these children may not be identified as troubled.
  
  
• SUBSTANCE ABUSE
  Older children from violent families may engage in excessive use of alcohol or drugs This behavior is often modeled after the parents' behavior, and is perceived as a psychological escape from their problems.
  
  
• ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR
  When these children become adults they may abuse their own children and/or spouse.

David R. Harvey, Ph.D