the inner child is a psychological concept referring to emotional imprints, memories and belief systems  that find their root in childhood (specifically during our formative years) and that are stored within the body and the subconscious mind, as we grow up. It alludes to the child within on a psychological and emotional scale ie experiences that have taken place during our formative years and that have contributed to creating beliefs about ourselves as well as the external world. These can be uplifting but also limiting and can therefore  lead to emotional damage in turn causing   further difficulties to co-create healthy relationships, building self-worth and  trust... 

These feelings and thoughts shape our inner and external reality.

How does Jung's work on archetypes help us grasp the reality of the inner child and its impact on our daily life? 

the eternal child archetype: this archetype refers to the shadow side of the child archetype according to Jung's philosophy. A puer aeternus  is an individual who struggles to commit  and stick to adult responsibilities yet seeks endless freedom and unhindered opportunities.Individuals stuck in this archetype struggle to reach emotional maturity and take responsibility for their reactions/ actions. According to Jung, a certain balance should be sought after between the openness of the eternal child and the wisdom of the Senex (the wise, old man's archetype), both are needed to grow in emotional maturity and allow true growth.

Okay... how serious can that be though? 

Burying beneath the surface feelings of shame, anger, fear, hopelessness and emptiness  can lead to developing coping mechanisms in order to survive  either by  counteracting such feelings or internalize them as core beliefs about oneself. 

Consequently one may develop a false self/ masks/ a persona: societal expectations, education, family conditioning create  (mainly unconscious) beliefs that are imprinted emotionally (as well as through nonverbal cues, posture, materialized in decision-making and bonding)  as well as psychologically as one grows up. However these beliefs leading to certain behaviors and actions do not necessarily reflect one's authentic self ie the deep truth of the individual beneath the surface of society's requirements of what you are supposed to look or act like .. As a result one may develop a "false self" to fit society's requirements or in order to fulfill their family's wishes. This false sense represents a disconnection from one's authentic nature, from the child within, expressing itself naturally through joy, playfulness, spontaneity, vitality.. This connection and the unconscious barriers that have been built between one's authentic self and the masks can lead to suffering, emptiness, fear and shame. 

How do childhood's unmet needs, lack of affection can lead to trauma?

Trauma doesn't necessarily include a tragic event and most commonly derives from repeated unmet needs and emotional damage that have been caused during childhood. Some can be nonverbal and subtle but can however leave serious scars in the child's psyche.

Abuse (physical or psychological), abandonment (actual abandonment or not providing the child with the attention needed to grow healthily), emotional instability or unpredictability as well as neglect can lead to trauma in the child’s subconscious mind. 

What impacts do  unresolved childhood wounds lead to?

A sense of  worthlessness, lack of intimacy in relationships, a tendency to shut others out and to expect the worst in any given situation can result from childhood wounds. Feelings of shame, feeling abandoned, guilt and self-criticism are also very common in a wounded inner child.    Difficulties to identify and understand emotional triggers are also a symptom of unresolved childhood wounds. A sense of emptiness, dissatisfaction, confusion, anxiety and numbness may also result from a disconnection to the inner child. 

What benefits  can be drawn from inner child healing? Healing your inner child allows you  reconnect with your creativity, vitality, innocence, playfulness and joy.

Uncovering and understanding the root of what has come to become masks, barriers, armors throughout childhood, teenagehood into adulthood will enable the individual to consciously decide on the creation of a new reality in terms of thoughts, emotions and general  worldview. 

To summarize:

The inner child is a psychological reality of what has been internalized emotionally at a subconscious level  during our formative years. Emotional wounds that result from one's upbringing accompany the individual's journey into adulthood, remaining present and shaping  the adult child's reactions and emotions. Healing the inner child consists in identifying the origin of one's emotional wounds in order to reconnect with one's deeper truth beneath internalized, unconscious beliefs that have been imprinted as emotions and have contributed to the construct of a false identity. This work enables to create consciously a new reality, to rewrite one's story, connecting with one's truth. Embodying  playfulness, joy, vitality and creativity while taking responsibility for one's actions, emotions and taking conscious, mature decisions result from inner child healing as it allows one to reconnect with their deeper truth while  integrating it into their adult self. This balance allows genuine growth.