NCJ Number
68993
Date Published
1980
Length
0 pages
Annotation
A YOUNG WOMAN RELATES THE ABUSIVE EXPERIENCES WHICH MARRED HER CHILDHOOD AND DESCRIBES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY IN HELPING HER TO COME TO TERMS WITH HERSELF.
Abstract
JANE WAS THE SURVIVOR OF TWINS BORN TO A MOTHER WHO DID NOT WANT CHILDREN. HER MOTHER BEAT HER, AND WHEN FORBIDDEN BY JANE'S FATHER TO ADMINISTER ANY FURTHER DISCIPLINE, EXHIBITED NO AFFECTION OR ENCOURAGEMENT TOWARD HER CHILD. AT AGE 6, JANE UNWILLINGLY SUBMITTED TO THE PHYSICAL ATTENTIONS OF AN OLDER MAN, THE HUSBAND OF A COUPLE WITH WHOM SHE SPENT SEVERAL WEEKS VACATION EVERY SUMMER. SHE HAD NO ONE TO ASK FOR HELP BECAUSE SHE WAS AFRAID THAT HER FATHER WOULD THINK BADLY OF HER, AND THAT SHE WOULD LOSE HIM, TOO. FROM THAT TIME ON, SHE MISBEHAVED INTENTIONALLY. SHE WAS LEFT ALONE WHEN HER PARENTS DIED DURING HER EARLY TEENS. A MARRIAGE IN HER MID-20'S FAILED. ALTHOUGH HER HUSBAND PHYSICALLY ABUSED HER, SHE STAYED WITH HIM BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED THAT HE NEEDED HER HELP. AFTER HER DIVORCE, SHE SOUGHT COUNSELING. PSYCHOTHERAPY HAS TAUGHT HER THAT SHE HAD BEEN TRYING TO LIVE UP TO HER PARENTS EXPECTATIONS. SHE ALSO HAS LEARNED TO THINK WELL OF HERSELF AND HAS GAINED A FEELING OF HIGH SELF-ESTEEM, ALONG WITH A SENSE OF CONFIDENCE TO PURSUE HER LIFE. IN HER OWN VIEW, PSYCHOTHERAPY HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR HER TO ENJOY LIFE AND TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS AS THEY COME.