Have you ever read any of the original Grimm’s Fairy Tales? They are gruesome. Cinderella’s step sisters cut off parts of their feet to fit into the slipper kind of gruesome. Children have been dealing with this kind of stuff for a long, long time. Life leaves a lasting mark. If they’re terrified and nothing bad happens they learn they can deal with this. I wouldn’t do that deliberately to a child but lasting mark does not mean lasting harm.

Simply because trauma has kept past generations “safe” by teaching them to avoid any potential harm, does not mean it’s the best option.

Previous generations also used to “instil” a sense of fear in to children by beating them. It does make them listen as they are then ruled by fear-inducing trauma and yet I think we’re all clear on how it’s not the best option for their growth.

They were also not meant for kids.[1]

1. https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/history/brothers-grimm...