During the Second World War, Britain implemented the “Evacuation of Children” project. It was a policy to evacuate young children from major cities vulnerable to concentrated bombing to safer areas. Approximately 830,000 children and hundreds of thousands of infants were separated from their parents and placed in foster homes or temporary shelters.
Although it was considered a good project, there were consequences after the war ended. Many of the children entrusted to unfamiliar caregivers suffered from illnesses or died, and they experienced emotional problems such as anxiety disorders, depression, and impaired learning abilities for a long time. This was the aftermath of what psychologists call attachment injury, which refers to the psychological shock and its aftermath caused by a lack of emotional connection with caregivers.
Attachment injury can occur not only in childhood but also in adulthood due to events such as miscarriage, childbirth, life-threatening illnesses, death of parents, or conflicts with spouses. Experiencing attachment injury leads to decreased trust in people and an inclination toward distrust, anxiety, and fear. Moreover, the attitude and speech patterns of excessively protecting the damaged self by blaming and attacking others can become entrenched, leading to distorted interpersonal relationships. British psychiatrist John Bowlby defines attachment as a “deep and enduring bond that transcends time and space,” and he explains that the presence of a stable and consistent caregiver is crucial for attachment formation.
Humanity, having left its heavenly home, has been exposed to various difficulties and crises with the link to God severed. God has come to humanity, which needs a protector of the soul, to become a reliable fortress. In the arms of God, who connects heavenly ties with deep and enduring love, our souls find comfort and peace. Humanity needs God.