I was punished for either expressing anger or crying, as well as for what Dad called “being too honest”. I’m female, and I agree that the author’s experience was unfair. Among other things, he was being taught NEVER to get angry, NOT how to CONTROL anger! Poor kid.

Very insightful and honest, well written. Though some of the folks in my life don’t let me ask questions or use I statements either, or walk away when they’re screaming at me. I’m working on that. I needed to end a relationship with a cousin and a sibling, for example; painful yet necessary. Both violently assaulted…