Authentic self Quote by Peg Streep
““Relational disconnection is created when there is an absence of “mutual authenticity,…when either the daughter’s voice or the mother’s voice is dominant or silenced.” As Louis Cozolino, Ph.D., observes, “A consistent theme of adult psychotherapy clients is that they had parents who were not curious about who they were but, instead, told them who they should be.” What happens, Cozolino explains, is that the child creates a “persona” for her parents but doesn’t learn to know herself. What happens is that “the authentic self”—the part of us that is open to feelings, experiences, and intimacy—“remains undeveloped.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Neuroscience of Human Relationships, Louis Cozolino, 2018
Children develop false personas when parents dominate or silence them, hindering authentic self growth.
In simple terms: Parents’ dominance blocks true self development.
Key Takeaway
Encourage mutual authenticity in relationships.
Themes
family dynamics
authenticity
psychotherapy
identity formation
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
advice
psychological
When to use this quote
- parent‑child counseling
- family therapy
- personal growth workshops
Key Concepts
persona
self‑concept
emotional development
Questions to Reflect On
- How can parents foster genuine curiosity about their child’s identity?
- What practices help individuals rediscover their authentic self?
A Different Perspective
If parents become more curious, the child may still struggle with self‑knowledge.
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