Abuse Quote by Beverly Engel
““Why isn't there a commandment to "honor thy children" or at least one to "not abuse thy children"? The notion that we must honor our parents causes many people to bury their real feelings and set aside their own needs in order to have a relationship with people they would otherwise not associate with. Parents, like anyone else, need to earn respect and honor, and honoring parents who are negative and abusive is not only impossible but extremely self-abusive. Perhaps, as with anything else, honoring our parents starts with honoring ourselves. For many adult children, honoring themselves means not having anything to do with one or both of their parents.””
About This Quote
Respect for parents should be earned, not assumed; honoring oneself may require setting boundaries with abusive parents.
In simple terms: Respect must be earned; self‑honor may mean cutting ties.
Key Takeaway
Set healthy boundaries.
Themes
family
respect
self‑care
Mood
conflicted
hopeful
Type
advisory
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family conflict
- personal growth
- legal guardianship
Key Concepts
ethics
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it right to sever ties?
- How do you balance duty and self‑respect?
A Different Perspective
Boundaries can be socially and legally complex.
