I’ve been asked many times if I think that shame can only be experienced in areas where we have been shamed by our parents or caregivers, but I don’t think this is the case. I do believe we are more vulnerable to shame triggers that developed from our families of origin; however, I interviewed many people who struggle with shame around issues that stem from other places—namely cultural messages and stereotypes. This is especially true of women and men who are under forty. For many people in this age group, the media has become the primary storyteller in their lives. Along with their families,
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