Key Children: The Problem Of Leaving Children Alone At Home

Key children is the term used for children who carry their house key around their neck or in their pocket. Key children are responsible for shutting themselves in after school because no one is waiting for them at home.

As this has become more and more common, there is a generation of young adults who have grown up as key children.

Concerns about key children address something very important for children: spending time with their parents. This is an important part of their psychological and mental development.

A generation of key children

Having to balance a family and work life means that parents are not always able to spend as much time with their children as they would like. This is becoming more and more common, especially in big cities.

Among other things, it can lead to behavioral problems, obesity, depression and difficulty expressing emotions when left alone for most of the day.

Key children also suffer from physical symptoms. These include altered sleep patterns, loss of appetite, weight loss and gastrointestinal disorders.

 As a result, academic performance and behavior in school are likely to be affected.

Causes of the childhood key syndrome

These factors have led to more and more children growing up as key children:

• The rise of the nuclear family. In the past, grandparents and other family members were present to provide care and guidance.
• Female empowerment, which has led to a large proportion of families where both parents work.
• The rise in the cost of living has made long working days a priority and a necessity, especially when you have children who need food and education.
• A highly competitive job market is another factor that forces people to stay longer in the office.

• The need for higher education to be able to compete in the workplace means that parents need to save money for their children’s future.

Consequences of the key child syndrome

Now we need to look at the consequences of children being left alone until late at night.

 These are most severe in children under 12 years of age. This is a very important stage in children’s development.

1. Anxiety

Key children can easily become isolated and avoid social situations, stress or conflict.

2. Panic attack

Symptoms may include visual changes such as mild hallucinations or deformation of real objects.

Adaptive Disorder

Another consequence is that children are forced into a role that is not appropriate for their age. In response, the child may develop what is known as an adjustment disorder.

4. Independence

As key children have less contact with their parents, they learn to fend for themselves during the day. This means that they have more freedom and become more independent. 

5. Exhausted parents

Parents of key children often come home exhausted from work. They do not even have enough energy to talk to their children. 

Mothers and fathers can even come home late at night when the children are already asleep.

6. Loss of authority

In terms of the parent-child relationship, lack of quality time can lead to children losing respect for their parents’ authority. 

7. Aggression

Key children may be more aggressive or arrogant towards their parents, or they may display rebellious behavior due to a lack of boundaries in everyday life.

8. Friendships

Friends fulfill the family role of some key children. Children who are alone at home every day can get a lot of support from their friends.

The problem arises when children surround themselves with friends who are not ideal role models.

9. Eating habits

Children who are left alone at home learn to feed themselves. This means that they do not have mealtimes as a family and this can lead to poor eating habits.

Key children, who are often left alone, eat more junk food.

10. Lack of love

Last but not least, key children may feel a lack of love from their own parents. This makes it more difficult for them to love or trust others. 

It may be necessary for both parents to have long working days nowadays. But as parents , we can take the necessary precautions to avoid distant relationships with regard to the key child syndrome. 

You need to communicate and exchange ideas to forge a close bond with your child. Show active interest in their lives to make sure the child does not feel ignored.