Characteristics of Daughters of Alcoholic Mothers and Fathers
Alcohol has become deeply ingrained in modern life. In America, people who abstain from alcohol are often seen as unusual. Every individual has a different capacity to resist alcoholism. Scientists have identified genes in DNA that contribute to hereditary resistance or vulnerability to alcohol dependence. Children of parents who drink are more likely to inherit a tendency toward this harmful addiction.The period during which alcoholism enters a child's life is very important for the child's development. These periods can be divided into three stages, during which a child's main character traits are formed:
- parents drinking before the girl’s birth,
- parents drinking from the girl’s birth to age five,
- parents drinking after the girl turns five.
Features of Girls Born in Families with Alcoholic Parents:
- Congenital physiological abnormalities. If an expectant mother abuses alcohol before and during pregnancy, this can cause developmental delays for the fetus. Issues may include underdeveloped limbs, disproportionate body parts, and impaired nervous and organ system development.
- Tendency to develop hereditary diseases. Children of alcoholics may develop genetic diseases of the circulatory and endocrine systems. A deficiency of human growth hormone can lead to dwarfism. Additionally, diabetes and liver diseases occur frequently.
- Low immunity and reduced physical endurance. Babies born to alcoholic mothers often have poor health, suffer frequent illnesses, and possess low resistance to viruses. Even if a girl is physically healthy at birth, she might still be less resilient and tire quickly compared to her peers.
- Hereditary tendency to alcoholism. As mentioned, the risk of developing alcoholism is genetically transmitted. Doctors recommend abstaining from alcohol at least three months before trying to conceive, even for those who do not abuse alcohol.
- Lower intelligence levels. Alcohol negatively impacts the body's physical condition, including the nervous system and brain. Premature exposure to alcohol can cause nervous system abnormalities, affecting memory, reasoning, and other cognitive functions. Since the nervous system controls critical functions, including breathing, its abnormal development can cause mental delays and more serious problems, such as sleep apnea (breathing difficulties during sleep). Attention deficit disorder and other mental development issues are also common.
If Parents Become Alcohol Dependent Before the Daughter Turns 5:
- Underdevelopment of a previously healthy girl in early life. If parents began drinking during the first years of the girl's life, even if she was born healthy, a lack of love and attention may cause developmental delays. Neglected children of alcoholic parents are likely to lag behind peers and may have delayed or slurred speech.
To support your daughter's development, try our unique Parents Mentor Test. The results can help identify whether alcohol is a major problem in your family and provide recommendations on improving your parenting approach. - Unstable psyche and a “loser” mindset. After a girl becomes self-aware, she'll begin copying her mother. If the mother habitually drinks, the girl may adopt unstable behaviors. Intoxicated parents often complain they are victims of a cruel world, blaming circumstances rather than their drinking. Growing up hearing such negativity, the girl may accept a victim or “loser” mindset as normal.
- Lack of self-confidence and a “victim” mentality. When the girl's mother is passive and the alcoholic father is aggressive or abusive, the child can develop fears, especially of physical violence. If the father is also violent toward the girl, this can cause her low self-esteem and lack of confidence, leading her to believe she must always submit to more dominant people.
- Personality degradation and the “outcast” scenario. Witnessing her parents' decline due to chronic alcoholism, the girl lacks positive role models. With little involvement from her parents, she may become socially isolated. This isolation can impede her ability to communicate and participate in society, causing her to view herself as an outcast. Rarely, children in such situations develop independent interests, but this is uncommon in alcoholic households.
- Distorted moral and ethical standards, the “alcoholic’s wife” scenario. Without healthy parental examples during her formative years, the girl may develop flawed moral values in relationships. Her parents’ behaviors become her model, and she might, unconsciously, be drawn to partners with similar addictive behaviors.
- Antisocial behavior. By age five, a child's basic behavioral patterns are set. If parents start drinking after this, the girl witnesses inappropriate behaviors and may rebel, trying to convince her parents to stop. If ignored, she may eventually give up and, during adolescence, become uncontrollable, influenced by poor examples at home or by negative peers.
- Inclination toward smoking and drugs. Alcohol misuse can lead to other substance abuse. Where there is alcohol, there is often tobacco or drug use. Seeing their parents smoke or use drugs, girls may believe this behavior is acceptable.
- Early sexualization. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and boundaries, so parents might behave inappropriately in front of their children. Easy access to online content can increase early curiosity about sexuality, leading to early sexualization and, unfortunately, early pregnancies.
- Early marriage. Many girls, seeking to escape dysfunctional families, may marry young believing it will solve their problems. However, early marriages rarely last and can cause further psychological harm.
- Positive "in spite of" development. Though rare and difficult, some girls find the strength to be different from their parents and focus on self-improvement. This path is often fraught but can lead to personal growth and positive outcomes.