What type of difference can a parenting make?

Question

The microcosm of a home is an ideally perfect environment for a child to grow and develop. But an image of paradise can also be a picture of a living hell for children who suffer abuse, violence and neglect from the one who are supposed to take full care of them. All abnormalities at this stage reflect later in various form in an adult life of a person. If for example someone is brought up without a father, while another without a mother would they become very different people in their adult lives, and in what way would their childhood circumstances make them to be different from other people with normal upbringing?

Answer 1

I'm ok, and I had an awful childhood.
Granted, It's taken years to get myself balanced and to be able to accept my past. But from the day I went into care at 14, I decided I didn't want to be like the others around me... I had a rocky lot of teenage years. but who doesn't?
I am now 24 and Mother to a beautiful 4 and a half year old girl.
And even if I say so myself, I am a good Mum, my daughter is polite well mannered happy and loved. I think that one of the reasons I have done well with her is because, I swore that I would never do to her what my Mum did to me... I had to live with the consequences and it wasn't pleasant!
Sure, I'm not completeley un-affected by my past and even now I get stages where I don't understand why, or feel upset or betrayed. But I DO understand and know, that I will be the best Mother I can for my little one. And feel lucky that I was shown how bad things could be, so that I can break a cycle, and give my Daughter the future she deserves.

Answer 2

there are hundreds of textbooks about this that barely skim the surface. this is almost too big of a question.

do you have a specific instance you know of personally that you'd like to explore more?

Answer 3

All the difference in the world.