Children Quote by John Bradshaw
““SHAME—THE MASTER EMOTION Shame has been called the master emotion because as it is internalized-all the other emotions are bound by shame. Emotionally shame-bound parents cannot allow their children to have emotions because the child’s emotions triggers the parents’ emotions. Repressed emotions often feel too big, like they would completely overwhelm us if we expressed them. There is also the fear of the shame that would be triggered if we expressed our emotions.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Healing the Shame that Binds You by John Bradshaw, 1988
Shame dominates emotional life, causing parents to block children's feelings and leading to repression and fear of expression.
In simple terms: Shame controls emotions and blocks expression.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address shame to allow healthy emotional expression.
Themes
shame
family dynamics
emotional health
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
advice
educational
When to use this quote
- parenting
- therapy
- personal growth
- education
- communication
Key Concepts
psychology
boundaries
repression
Questions to Reflect On
- How does shame affect your relationships?
- What steps can you take to create a shame‑free space?
A Different Perspective
Shame can be mitigated through supportive environments and open dialogue.
![“That's part of what I touch on in my [UN] speech - when assaults happen on women and girls in these fragile countries, in these places of crisis, there isn't the psychosocial support. There aren't counseling services. It's not in a lot of cultures to explicitly talk about things that maybe have…” quote by Natalie Dormer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d44/natalie-dormer-2190_assault_that-s-part-of-what-i-touch-on-in-my-un_200448.jpg)
