Feral Child - GCSE Sociology Definition

A 'feral child' refers to a young individual who has lived isolated from human contact from a very young age, significantly affecting their development. Such children often lack basic social skills and behaviours typical to their age group because they have had little or no exposure to human language, culture, and interaction.

This concept is significant in sociology as it highlights the importance of socialisation in human development. Feral children may have been raised by animals or survived on their own, and their cases offer valuable insights into the effects of neglect and the essential role played by family and society in nurturing and educating children. Studying feral children helps students understand the impact of environment versus biology in human development.