March 29, 2019
Genie Wiley
James Kent
Susan Curtiss
Isabella Ramirez
This article was very sad to read, but it was also interesting to see how important language is for a child to develop. Not only linguistically, but mentally as well. The critical period theory can be supported by this article, but it can also help argue that it is still possible, with a lot of practice, to start putting words together, like Genie was doing after each session with her speech therapist. My favorite line of this article states ” her progress was compromised and she was afraid to open her mouth, which led her back to silence”. This was such an important line to me because it shows how important it is that people learning a language must practice it every chance they get, that way they don’t lose progress.
28/08/2021
9:12 pm
Morgan Kuchta
While scrolling through linguistics articles, “Genie” stood out to me as a name mentioned in my class, and I wanted to learn more. Though a heartbreaking article, I am glad I am able to learn more about the importance of language and communication on a person’s mental, physical, and linguistic development. I had questions about the “critical period” and acquiring the full command of a language, and, through this article, I think I was able to find an answer. Despite Genie’s mental age being estimated to be at the age of a child within the critical period, it seems that a lot of language learning (understanding grammar, word arrangement) is determined by general development during the actual critical period, which is something I had been wondering about, although something different may have been discovered under other circumstances. Thank you for sharing.
29/08/2021
9:12 pm
Isabella De Paolo
Hi Danniella, Your article shared a very devastating story but you were able to share a lot of powerful knowledge. I had heard of Genie through psychology courses, but I wasn’t aware of how truly terrible her situation was. It’s really so sad that Genie never really got to grow up and developed her life because of the restrictions eposed in all aspects of her infancy andchildhood. I can’t even imagine. Altough it wasn’t really a pleasant read due to the history, you managed to do a great job of giving us factual information. Not only about Genie but the development, or lack of development, that were a result of her awful situation.
01/09/2021
9:12 pm
Christina
The mother needed to GO TO JAIL AND HAVE ALL OF HER PARENTAL RIGHTS TAKEN AWAY AFTER ALL SHE WAS DEEMED INCOMPETENT.
03/10/2022
9:12 pm
Natalie
I agree with Christina about the mom. I know that Irene was also a victim but I have reason to believe that she was also a victimizer in some capacity. Clark was shopping when She took Genie and left. However Irene could’ve taken Genie and left her monstrosity of a husband during a previous shopping trip. Furthermore, Irene didn’t call the police nor the hospital after she and Genie left.
12/08/2023
9:12 pm
Victoria Cantu
This article not only told the story of a victim of abuse and neglect as a child but also brought awareness of the importance of proper care in the beginning stages of an infant’s life. As the author Danniella you did a phenomenal job informing me of the tragic events Genie Wiley experienced throughout her life. I believe that although the scientist may have taken her case out of proportion, what they ultimately wanted was data to help her and prevent this from happening to other children. Overall, this article was a great piece of work; it truly demonstrated the importance of resources needed for the well-being of children and how neglect can truly impact a child.
06/10/2022
9:12 pm
Elizabeth Joan Lucas
This case amazes me, and I agree with Christina about the mother needing to be locked up as well. The thing that I found to be wrong was that the mother turned in the father. The mother went to get social services for herself, and she had Genie with her. The social worker noticed the posture, drooling, and the tiny stature of the child and suspected abuse and turned the family in to social services.
30/10/2022
9:12 pm
Angela Brzeczkowski
The tragedy of sending her back with the biological mother appalling. Why on earth would these “science” people do that? Then she ended up worse than before since she was never exposed to anything but isolation, darkness and pain and she ended up worse than where she started.
30/10/2022
9:12 pm
Natalie
FYI Genie wasn’t locked in basement. But in a room, on the upper floor.
12/08/2023
9:12 pm
Miranda
Genie’s story is so tragic. It makes me so angry that she suffered abuse basically her entire life.
29/04/2024
9:12 pm
Alexander Johnson
First of all, the author did an incredible job writing the article. The article was both fascinating and expertly crafted, a pleasure to read. The story is very sad, particularly because it seems she never got the help she needed as she was sent off to foster care. It seemed as if she was making progress with her language skills, perhaps even able to learn one past her formative years, but we will never know as she tragically was taken back to her mother. I read elsewhere that Susan tried to adopt her, but the mom put a stop to it and tried to sue the scientists. Mostly though, its just tragic how horrible a life this woman has had to live and it should make us all feel both grateful and motivated to make things better for future generations.
01/02/2021
9:12 pm