Genie (feral child)

Genie immediately after rescue

American feral child

Genie (born Susan Wiley; April 18, 1957) is an American feral child who was a victim of severe abuse, neglect, and social isolation. Her circumstances are prominently documented in the annals of linguistics and psychology due to the unique insights her case provided into the development of language acquisition and cognitive development.

Early Life

Genie was born in Arcadia, California. Her father, Clark Wiley, believed she was mentally disabled, which led to her severe isolation. From the age of 20 months until she was discovered at the age of 13, Genie was confined to a small room and deprived of normal human interaction. She was often strapped to a child's toilet or bound in a sleeping bag, unable to move freely.

Discovery and Rehabilitation

Genie was discovered on November 4, 1970, when her mother, who was partially blind, sought services for herself and her daughter. The social worker who met them quickly realized the severity of Genie's condition and contacted authorities. Genie was taken into custody and admitted to the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where she began her rehabilitation.

Linguistic and Psychological Studies

Genie's case attracted the attention of researchers in the fields of linguistics and psychology. She became the subject of extensive studies to understand the effects of social isolation on language acquisition and cognitive development. Researchers, including Susan Curtiss and James Kent, worked with Genie to help her develop language skills and to study her progress.

Ethical Controversies

The research conducted on Genie raised significant ethical questions. Critics argued that the intense focus on her as a research subject may have compromised her well-being. The debate highlighted the ethical responsibilities of researchers working with vulnerable individuals.

Later Life

After several years of study, Genie was moved through various foster homes, some of which subjected her to further abuse. Her progress in language and social skills regressed significantly. As of the last reports, Genie resides in a private care facility for adults with disabilities.

Legacy

Genie's case remains one of the most well-documented instances of a feral child and continues to be a significant reference in discussions about language acquisition, critical period hypothesis, and the effects of social isolation on human development.

See Also

• Feral child
• Language acquisition
• Critical period hypothesis
• Social isolation
• Child abuse

Further Reading

• Susan Curtiss, Genie: A Psycholinguistic Study of a Modern-Day "Wild Child"

External Links

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