Children of Wounded 'Hidden Casualties' of War

U-T San Diego -- Children of seriously wounded combat veterans are “the hidden casualties of war,” according to a study released Wednesday.

Family dynamics and a lack of community support can stunt their social, emotional, and academic development, resulting in significant longterm effects, according to a “first-of-its-kind” national assessment commissioned by the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.

“The study demonstrates the heavy price children pay for their parent’s honorable service to America,” the foundation said in a statement.

More than 52,000 children have a parent wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan. Common challenges affecting their families include difficulty communicating and preparing children for the “new normal,” according to the research conducted by the Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research at the University of San Diego. (Full Story)