Susan Conklin answers “This is a hard read. I am 53 years old...”

Atheena asked this question about Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis:

This is a hard read. I am 53 years old and just finished this book yesterday. I have cried all day yesterday, all night woke with nightmares and am crying now. I know this is for questions. The only question I have is... does it ever get ok?

Susan Conklin It gets OK one person at a time. Every baby born is born innocent and vulnerable, not until the baby feels safe and secure, has no stress over hunger …moreIt gets OK one person at a time. Every baby born is born innocent and vulnerable, not until the baby feels safe and secure, has no stress over hunger and need of human love and contact is that baby able to observe and world outside its own inner stress and learn. Children who don't get this in the first 18 months of life are in trouble. It all starts at home. When we as as a society truly understand this and start seeing that every baby born and its parents get much needed help, we'll keep cycling out of control. J.D. Vance had his grandparents and some inner survival. We have $trillions to build bombs, fighter jets, etc. we need $billions to see that ever family gets support of knowledge, child development and a society that makes it a priority.(less)

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