That is a horrible childhood. I too had my self-esteem pummeled, told to stop being so selfish and put my sister first, stop asking for this or that, and so on. It was seen as a sign of "male aggressiveness" to be assertive.
Then later, middle school and high school, being chastized for being passive and indecisive. No awareness of what she had done had consequences.
The only saving grace was that my parents were (and are) still together, so he could do some small measure of counterprogramming though often he was emotionally abused for doing so.
One result has been pretty lonely life, though I do have a good group of close friends. But I always feel more comfortable alone, an old habit of emotional protection.
Hats off to a fellow D&D player!
That is a horrible childhood. I too had my self-esteem pummeled, told to stop being so selfish and put my sister first, stop asking for this or that, and so on. It was seen as a sign of "male aggressiveness" to be assertive.
Then later, middle school and high school, being chastized for being passive and indecisive. No awareness of what she had done had consequences.
The only saving grace was that my parents were (and are) still together, so he could do some small measure of counterprogramming though often he was emotionally abused for doing so.
One result has been pretty lonely life, though I do have a good group of close friends. But I always feel more comfortable alone, an old habit of emotional protection.