My Name Is “Unwanted”

In a recent ceremony in India 285 girls named “Nakusa”, meaning “unwanted”, changed their names to one of their choosing. Like in China, boys are favored in India for variety of cultural and economic reasons and girls are told directly ” we didn’t want you!”.
The western version is more subtle in households where one gender is coveted over the other. Children are vulnerable and extremely perceptive in picking up signals and attitudes. A core sense of self is formed by the actions and attitudes of the adults in a Childs world and the message you are unwanted, unlovable and unacceptable leaves lifelong damage. Your ability to regulate you self esteem and make lasting relationships is impaired. I spend countless hours attempting to undo these messages and the legacy they leave in adults.
Girls are particularly vulnerable do to their developmental psychology and their devalued status in worldwide culture. Generatively is about leaving something of value to the next generation. We can all help change this attitude now. No child needs to go through life “unwanted”.