The 'Drug Baby' Myth and Its Consequences on Children

Abstract

Despite the lack of supportive research, the belief that drug babies suffer permanent damage is widely held among educators, social workers, and parents. Fundamental principles of psychology tell us that these widely held beliefs are themselves damaging. They create lowered expectations and can result in developmental deficiencies when there is no physiological basis. Drug exposed children need to be protected from the bias of negative beliefs to receive the best chance of developing normally.