"My parents had this relationship that was really terrifying. I mean, the level of hatred that they had, and the level of physical abuse - my mother would beat up my father, basically - and I think I was drawn to images on television that were bright and reflective"
- Augusten Burroughs
About this Quote
In this quote, author Augusten Burroughs assesses his childhood and the tumultuous relationship in between his parents. He explains their relationship as "scary" due to the extreme hatred and physical abuse that existed in between them. Burroughs explains that he was drawn to images on television that were "intense and reflective," perhaps as a method of getting away the dark and violent truth of his home life. This quote highlights the effect that a toxic and violent relationship can have on a kid, and how they may seek solace in other forms of media. It also sheds light on the long lasting effects of witnessing domestic violence and the methods which it can shape one's understanding of relationships.
"Children that are raised in a home with a married mother and father consistently do better in every measure of well-being than their peers who come from divorced or step-parent, single-parent, cohabiting homes"
"A mother should give her children a superabundance of enthusiasm; that after they have lost all they are sure to lose on mixing with the world, enough may still remain to prompt fated support them through great actions"