Credits: Social Media
What is the meaning of ‘glass child’ syndrome, TikTok’s latest therapy trend?
We take a look at the meaning behind ‘glass child’, a term you have probably seen used in the online mental health space.
In 2023 the conversation around mental health difficulties, such as anxiety, burnout, and dysfunctional relationship dynamics, is further reaching and more open than ever.
For some time, a number of qualified therapists have taken to social media platforms Instagram and TikTok to educate netizens about their emotions and provide the psychoeducation most of us have never had.
Let’s explore the meaning of the therapeutic concept that is currently in the spotlight glass child syndrome.
What is the meaning of glass child?
‘Glass child’ is a term that refers to someone who grew up in a home with a sibling who had a disability or high support needs. As per SpecialKidz: “This can be a child with an obvious physical, cognitive or emotional disability; it can also be a child with an addiction, a serious illness or significant behavioral issues.”
Typically, as the disabled child takes up a disproportionate amount of parental energy, the needs of the ‘glass child’ aren’t prioritized. As this child’s needs are less severe, they can easily be overlooked or ignored.
The term ‘glass child’ doesn’t refer to the fragility of glass but rather its transparent quality. That is, the parents “look right through” the child as their needs become almost hidden.
According to a 2022 study by the CCCU Research Space Repository: “Glass children can often take on adult-like responsibilities within their families from an early age as they attempt to support their parents and their sibling. As a result, they can grow up and become more mature much quicker than their peers.”
The child experiences emotional neglect, which carries a range of negative impacts such as low self-esteem and perfectionism.
Where does the term ‘glass child’ come from?
The term ‘glass child’ was made famous by a 2010 TEDx talk by Alicia Maples that took place in San Antonio, Texas, entitled Recognizing Glass Children.
Watch the talk below:
Maples, who is a sales consultant and coach, spoke about her experiences growing up with a severely autistic brother and another brother with a terminal illness who tragically died at the age of four.
She explained: “I was a good little girl from six to ten, I did whatever mom and dad needed me to do because that was my job.” However, by the age of 11, Alicia’s mental health had taken a dark turn but “no one had a clue.”
Maples claimed glass children become the “caretaker of the family” and, when someone asks how they’re doing, the answer is always: “Im doing fine.”
In the talk she appeals to parents not to take any of their children’s emotional health for granted and ensure they have a safe space to discuss their experience such as a support group or counselling session.
Therapists raising awareness of glass child syndrome
Recently, the concept of the glass child has been popping up a lot on TikTok. Whitney Goodman, a family therapist and author of Toxic Positivity, who has 764.4K likes on TikTok, posted a video about it seven months ago.
In a TikTok she posted yesterday (January 10, 2023) she said the video had “somehow in the last day got to one million views.” Whitney posted a second video due to the large number of comments the first video received from disabled siblings of glass children expressing they felt they were to blame.
Whitney reiterated in yesterday’s TikTok it wasn’t the disabled child’s or even necessarily the parents’ fault.
Whitney’s platform isn’t the only one to discuss the topic. Sarah Lene, whose TikTok aims to “advocate for an overlooked demographic” posts a lot about glass children. She also founded New Zealand charity Drenched, which supports children and siblings of those with high support needs.
‘Glass children’ share stories on TikTok
Now more people are aware of the meaning behind glass child, they are sharing their own experiences online:
