General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Have you ever felt unfairly judged by another person? [View all]Flatulo
(5,005 posts)Cruelty and bullying seems to start at an early age, and negatively impacts almost everyone; women, GLBTs, and certainly minorities. And it is born of privelege, whether it be the privelge of being white, or male, or tall, or popular, or good-looking.
I believe I've done a very good job of raising my son. I had a nasty childhood myself; bullies terrorized my neighborhood and schools. Dads were among the biggest offenders.
I think this generation of Millenials are, on balance, good people, certainly better than the Baby Boomers. I have a theory on that - my generations' parents were raised in wartime, and went off to commit unspeakable horrors in the war. They came back traumatized, but with no treatment of any kind available, so they self-medicated with pain killers and alcohol. Moms kept their mouths shut while Dads went crazy.
My wife and my friends had the same experience - drunken dad, indifferent and frightened mom. We didn't get a lot of love and protection. Thankfully we've heaped tons of love and gentleness on our own kids, and I think it shows in the end product.