The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Growing up, I thought my grandfather was dead. Later, I learned he was alive, but my family pretended he didn't exist because of the terrible way he'd abused my grandmother and my mother. He did things like shave my grandmother's head and lock her in a closet. With my mother's help, my grandmother finally left him.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the painful realities of family secrets and trauma caused by abuse.
Deborah Pryce's quote sheds light on the hidden sufferings within a family marked by abuse. It reveals the complexities of familial relationships, where love can be overshadowed by pain and neglect, as seen through the narrative of a grandson coming to terms with the legacy of his grandfather's abusive behavior. The revelation of the grandfather’s actions and the family's decision to bury the truth speaks to the difficulties faced by victims of domestic violence and the enduring impact of such trauma across generations.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a family therapy session, this quote can be used to discuss the impact of generational trauma.
Similar quotes
I have great respect for my parents. I got such beautiful things from both of them. It doesn't mean that we didn't have our rough times, but they were remarkable people who were open-minded, creative and hard-working, and had great senses of humor.
Ironically, parenting is a shame and judgment minefield precisely because most of us are wading through uncertainty and self-doubt when it comes to raising our children.
It's my privilege and honor to cook three meals a day for my family, and it's a luxury on a level that I didn't even realize, because it can be relentless for me on some days. You have pride in how you take care of your family.
The family uses people, not for what they are, nor for what they are intended to be, but for what it wants them for- its own uses. It thinks of them not as what God has made them, but as the something which it has arranged that they shall be.
In our house, Mother's Day is every day. Father's Day, too. In our house, parents count. They do important work and that work matters. One day just doesn't cut for us.