In addition to the messages and stereotypes passed down through our families of origin, we also live in a world with partners, colleagues, friends and community members, where TV and magazines do nothing but set expectations and define what is and what is not acceptable. I don’t want to dismiss the important role that all of these factors play in our lives; however, in my research it was painfully clear that the shaming wounds inflicted in our first families often set the stage for many of our greatest shame struggles.
