Susan Wiley: The Importance Of Socialization

Brenda Adan
February 27, 2017
1st Hour
The Importance of Socialization Susan Wiley was born in California in 1957. Later in life she would be known as Genie, the feral child. Her story consists of neglect, abuse, and social isolation. Genie at three months had a hip dislocation so she had to wear a Frejka splint. Due to this splint Genie began to walk at a late age and most researchers thought that this led her father to believe that she was mentally retarded. At fourteen months Genie came down with a fever so her parents took her to pediatrician. The pediatrician had said that her illness prevented a definitive diagnosis, that she was possibly mentally retarded. This news helped her father’s conclusion that she was mentally retarded ("Genie
Feeding time was usually the only time that Genie’s mother would be able to visit Genie. She was not able to feed her personally so when possible she would get up late at night to feed Genie. At this point Genie’s father had a low tolerance with noise. Her brother and mother would not speak unless they were asked to or they would be beaten as well. Genie’s mother was almost completely blind by the time Genie was 11. Her mother would be threatened by her father to be beaten if she tried anything to contact her parents or friends. Genie’s father promised that if Genie would live to the age of twelve that her mother could get assistance for her. After Genie turned 12 her mother wouldn’t do anything for another year and half ("Genie (feral child)"
Then on November 4th Genie’s mother took genie with her so she could apply for disability benefits for the blind. Unfortunately they ended up in the social services office next door by accident. The social worker noticed the condition Genie was in and asked her mother some questions. After finding out her real age she reacted fast contacted the police. Her parents were arrested and she became a ward of the court. With the condition she was in, Genies was immediately sent to Children’s hospital Los Angeles. David Rigler, a therapist and a USC psychology professor in the hospital, took direct control of Genie’s care. James Kent was also very interested in Genie and was the first person to conduct examinations on her ("Genie (feral child)" 2013). James stated his examinations and saw that Genie On November 17th media released the news on Genie’s isolation and it brought a lot of attention to Genie’s father. Considering he did not want to talk to the police or the crowds, it was too much for him to handle. A few days before having to appear in court Genie’s father committed suicide and left a note that said “you will never