Losing a parent at a young age can have a profound impact on individuals, potentially making them either stronger or crushing them. Research in England showed a high percentage of high achieving individuals had lost a parent in their youth. The experience of losing a parent can toughen a person and significantly shape their life. The speaker found it interesting that people tend to be condescending towards children's understanding of loss and darkness, emphasizing that unless one has experienced the worst possible event, they may not fully grasp its severity.