were placed in orphanages where they were mostly ignored, suffering from a minimum of human contact. Some were eventually adopted by good people who tried their best to help with the children’s multiple issues, including an inability to bond with or care for other human beings. A small fraction of these Romanian children turned out well, but most continued to have serious issues with anger, violence, and attachment or love. The article shows in stark detail that a child’s early years are vital and that many children will never adjust, in spite of the extensive efforts of their foster or adoptive parents.

A young man I know dated a beautiful young Romanian woman who had been “rescued” and brought to the United States. I don’t know the specifics of her history, but a description of her behaviors led me to believe that she probably had borderline personality disorder. The young man, as well as the young woman’s adoptive family, tried repeatedly to save her from her destructive behaviors. But the young man finally gave up and broke up with her. He eventually had to block her on his phone, change the locks on his house, and purchase a weapon to have in case her impulsive and dangerous old boyfriend decided to break in. Scary stuff.

So I guess my takeaway from the magazine article is that, sadly, not all neglected or abused children can be saved. I am very sorry about your experience with your foster daughter and hope you are able to heal from what you’ve been through.