Surviving Childhood Trauma in Care
- Actor Samantha Morton and writer Jenni Fagan discuss their traumatic experiences growing up in care.
- Both women have used their work to process childhoods ravaged by neglect and abuse.
- They share insights on survival, anger, Fagan's new memoir, and the state of the UK's care system.
In a poignant conversation, authors Jenni Fagan and Sam Morton explore their parallel experiences growing up in children’s homes and foster care. Both women, who share a striking resemblance and age, recount their challenging beginnings, with Fagan revealing that her mother’s illness led to her early independence. “I was always a fighter,” she states, emphasizing her determination to survive despite the odds stacked against her. Morton and Fagan highlight the systemic failures within the care system, stressing that children in care are often overlooked as mere victims of circumstance. Fagan asserts, “If you know it’s not good enough for your child, it is not good enough for a child in care,” advocating for a more compassionate approach to child welfare. Their shared anger towards the injustices faced by children resonates deeply, with Morton recalling her own struggles with anger during her teenage years. The conversation also touches on the importance of positive influences in their lives, such as a supportive social worker and an encouraging teacher. Fagan expresses her gratitude for those who showed kindness without expecting anything in return, acknowledging the profound impact these relationships had on her resilience. Ultimately, both women grapple with the concept of forgiveness, with Fagan asserting that it is not her responsibility to forgive those who wronged her. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of focusing on healing and moving towards positivity, a sentiment that encapsulates their journey from trauma to empowerment.