The Oprah Winfrey Show: The Podcast TOWS Special: The Cycle of Family Abuse
Apr 30, 2024
Professor James Garbarino explores the cycle of family abuse, discussing the impact on children who grow up in abusive environments. The episode delves into breaking the cycle of abuse, personal reflections on childhood trauma, and the weight of blame in dysfunctional families.
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The Cycle of Abuse
- Marion Helton Harmon grew up in an abusive home and married an abusive man like her father.
- She stood by as her children suffered similar abuse, mirroring her own mother's inaction.
Double Lives
- Growing up in abusive families creates a warped sense of normalcy.
- Children develop two separate personalities, one for the public and one for the abusive home environment.
Overcompensation
- Cathy, despite vowing to be different, perpetuated the cycle by smothering her children and yelling.
- This led to her daughter's low self-esteem and eventual placement on probation after running away.