This morning, the relatives released a videotape of Elian, saying in Spanish that he does not want to return to Cuba. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the house, many chanting Elian's name. And the boy's great-uncle, Lazaro Gonzalez, has said that the government will have to take the boy by force. Caught on Tape Other child development experts wondered why no one was protecting Elian from additional stress. In addition, Fassler says, asking a child of 6 his preference can be detrimental about such a weighty matter as custody.
Kids already feel caught in the middle.
They feel like they've been disloyal to one or another part of the family. He may feel that if he doesn't do what he senses they want him to that they will abandon him and he will suffer another loss. Elian's mother, who was divorced from his father, drowned along with 10 others when the boat on which they left Cuba sank. Elian was found floating in an inner tube on Nov. 25. He was placed in what was supposed to be the temporary care of relatives in Miami, who are now fighting to keep him in the United States.