13 People Tell Us Bad Traumatic Childhood Experiences That Shaped Them Presently
Childhood; a time of laughter, joy, learning and growing. Some argue that it’s a time most crucial to a person, a time where the child’s outlook on love, life, and everything in fact is shaped and formed. Unfortunately, some are exploited at this age, it is the most innocent and vulnerable stage after all. On this week’s episode of Afrogist, 13 volunteers share with us some bad traumatic childhood experiences that shaped their present self. Happy Reading!!!
“A lot of shit!”
Biggie (M)
Nigeria
“I wasn’t that little but still scared the crap outta me… I got drugged by a guy I met in church. I was nineteen and he seemed nice and innocent enough… turns out he had planted the laced drink at the restaurant earlier in the day and he was working with the waitress. My grace was that I had told my mum about my whereabouts and when she called to check on me, he got scared and ended the outing. I’m not even sure how I managed to get myself home. I got home in a daze and I was knocked out for about 6 hours. When I woke up, I was so scared I cried hot tears. I did get checked out and thankfully I was certified okay. Since then, I’ve never gone out without informing my mum or someone about my whereabouts…in-fact since the incident, it’s been a standing practice at home. It’s been over 2 years but I still remember it like yesterday, the experience impaired my ability to trust people (Men).”
Nnorah (F)
Edo State
“I remember when I was young, my dad would make sure we are always indoors, no street friends just me and my siblings. It shaped my life by having a small circle of friends and I’m proudly an introvert.”
Dee (F)
Nigeria
“When I was young, I hated men cause my dad wasn’t someone to boast about and I never wanted to be in a relationship but as I grew older, I thought I could make guys pay for what my dad did to my mental health but I ended up hurting myself. Thank God I changed my thinking and I’m learning to forgive.”
Ola😊 (F)
Nigeria
“I stole my mum’s 10k when I was young and I lied to my dad that I saw it on the floor so I kept it for her. I almost got caught but since then I vowed never to steal again in my life.”
Ade (F)
Nigeria
“My first exposure to sex was when I was about 4 years old. My elder brother and I had gone to visit a neighbor and friend who was around the same age as we were, and their parents weren’t home.
Squealing with delight when electric power came on, our friends were like “have you guys seen back attack?” My bro and I were perplexed and nodded no. They said they’d seen their parents watching it when they thought they were asleep and it was ‘verrrryyyyyy tough!’
We said no issh, let’s see this movie. They put it on, curtains closed and boom! It was a hardcore porno. We watched the entire clip open-mouthed vowing to experiment with it. I was the youngest, so I was chosen to be the first to try it out. And the very next day I did, with a neighbor’s daughter a year younger than I, then again and again.
It was traumatic because I couldn’t speak to anyone about it – my pastors preached that I’d burn in hell forever. I couldn’t tell my mom; she’d not only beat me, she’d report the boys to their parents and probably they’d stop playing with me. It was all very confusing back then.”
Mikey (M)
Benin City
“I was molested when I was five; l was traumatized for 15years of my life but thank God for Jesus Christ; he saved me😊 there is a lot to say, but let’s keep it here.”
Sarah (F)
Nigeria
“The death of my father. It made me the independent, self-reliant and strong woman I am today. It also made it clear how wicked and selfish 99% of the world is. I pity those trusting self-righteous people that feel they’ll be the first to make heaven. Those are the worst.”
Hari (F)
Rivers State
“I’m an atheist, not by birth but by choice. I once walked in on a ‘pastor’ prophesying to a woman. This man literally told the woman that her father was the one that was responsible for her poverty. It did not stop there. He prayed on a wine (he probably told the woman to buy it earlier) and told her to go and give him as a gift. Apparently, if he’s guilty of it (I don’t know of what), he’ll confess and die. Growing up, I saw so many blasphemous acts in the name of ‘God’. It was then I just gave up religion.🤦♀️”
Benny (F)
Ghana 🇬🇭
“When I was little, I remembered practicing so much for the children’s day presentation in church. I practiced with my mom at home, and also practiced with my siblings every night when I returned from day school. It was a recitation that I had to do and I was prepared and eager to smash it. I practiced and practiced. On the D-day, I stood before the entire church and I could not utter a single word, and I stood before everyone and got scared with all those eyes drowning me up. Eyes were everywhere, and that shook me. All my enthusiasm quickly melted into fear before the congregation, and I started crying from embarrassment in front of everyone because I could not remember all that I had studied. My head was like a big block. This happened when I was 7, but the fear and phobia I felt when I stood before the crowd that day, still holds me back every time I have to stand before several people to speak about anything. I fear that I would be like that small child once again, and have the entire church laughing at me again.
It is traumatic sometimes, and I think I need help to deal with this phobia that has stuck since childhood.”
Rachea (M)
Lagos, Nigeria.
“I was molested as a child, sexually. I had this neighbor that used to come around. He was a teenager then I think. While I was about 7 or so. He came over one day, and while it was just me and him in the room, he told me to sit on his lap. I was curious why, I’ve always been a curious child, so I did. He then lifted up my gown, and began fondling me through my panties. It got to a point he shifted the panties aside and touched me bare. Although he quickly removed his hand when he heard footsteps and never tried it again, I liked the feeling then. It was traumatic for me cause it led to years of masturbation, addiction to porn, and eventually sex, rough sex.”
Favour (F)
Benue
“Family, yes. I was always the bad guy, even when I was innocent. Somehow I got beaten for doing nothing, absolutely nothing. Now, I’m extremely introverted and the same family is always asking me why. Funny.”
Mark (M)
Lagos
“When my parents broke up, it really affected me and has shaped me into a woman that is so afraid of commitment. The fear and imagination of your partner leaving you with kids, has made me to enjoy singlehood and I don’t have any hopes for marriage. Until almighty God intervenes.”
Kome Lee (F)
Lagos
Well, there’s always the good and the bad. A word of advice, parents please learn to be more mindful and thoughtful of your kids; Individuals please learn to be more empathetic, especially to kids you should be protecting. If we all play our part, the world as we know it will get better and better each day.
Do you have any bad traumatic childhood experiences? Don’t forget to leave a comment down below. Enjoy your weekend!
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