My Witness to Sibling Violence and Maternal Neglect

I live near a woman who runs a small kiosk and has two sons, about nine and six years old. From the start, I was drawn to the baby—he was gentle, affectionate, and full of light. His older brother, though, struck me as different. I watched the elder boy push, pinch, and even press his brother’s head into the ground. The younger boy seldom cried, following his brother everywhere and showing only love in return. Yet the rough treatment continued. One day the play turned dangerous. The older brother struck his sibling near the eye, and the little boy had to get stitches. Their mother stood by, pretending not to see. She only intervened after neighbors began to talk behind her back. This experience taught me how unchecked aggression and parental neglect can cause real harm. It made me wonder about the long-term impact on both children and the responsibility of caregivers.

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