Do you think you have been abused in your life? No? Well, read on.
Most of us have developed a high tolerance for what I call wacky abuse. We’re becoming accustomed these days to using the word “abuse,” although for many it is still an uncomfortable term.
Many of us believe abuse is a normal part of child rearing. In fact, let’s consider that term, child rearing. Some parents view their children as if they were animals that need herding, such as sheep or cows. Their attitudes are more in keeping with the weary adage that children should be seen and not heard, always kept in line.
Some parents believe that children should obey their parents without nurturing or encouraging them to develop their own thoughts and feelings about life. These attitudes are outdated and abusive.
We continue to have a limited understanding not only of what abuse is, but also its far-reaching aspects. Pia Melody, noted lecturer and addiction specialist at the Meadows Treatment Center in Arizona, states that abuse is anything less than nurturance.
Whether or not you agree with this statement, it can be used as a touchstone for how we treat others and ourselves.