I have always had a difficult relationship with my parents, who did little to protect me from my older brother, who was an aggressive bully. It was a cold, unaffectionate family; I left home aged 20 after my brother punched me in the face while my parents were out. I tried to discuss my childhood with my parents when I was in my mid-20s, but they claimed that my childhood had been happy. I felt that my parents wanted to create the illusion of a happy family at my expense. It is completely understandable that you don’t want contact with your mother and brother – your brother is a bully.

Source: The Guardian October 06, 2017 13:52 UTC