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The David Pelzer "A Child Called It" Family War aftermath of book
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<blockquote data-quote="Hound dog" data-source="post: 654998" data-attributes="member: 84"><p>I believe the author was abused, however, I've believed from the moment I read it that it was greatly exaggerated with many of his stories, some may be fabricated completely. The bleach, for instance. Bleach is an acid. You drink it, heaven forbid, and it eats away at the flesh rapidly, even a small amount.</p><p></p><p>I remember shaking my head quite a lot while reading his book. He may not be a skilled writer, but I dunno, it just didn't quite ring true......childhood memories or not. I have no issue giving him the benefit of exaggeration. It could be due childhood memories (doubtful as abuse memories tend to stay vivid) or it could be a simple case of trying to fill pages, believe it or not. It's really tough for a target child of abuse over many years to sit down and think up each instance from day to day, week to week, or even sometimes year to year. Prolonged abuse tends to blend events and it has it's own "normalcy". Nor did I feel any emotion in his words, which seems extremely odd for someone telling such a story.</p><p></p><p>I was less than impressed.</p><p></p><p>I've not read the brother's book, didn't know it existed until I saw this post. Oddly, from what has been said here..........HIS story rings true, complete it seems with more emotion than his brothers. The other siblings/family denying how bad it truly was isn't uncommon. In their eyes, from their perspective, it wasn't that bad as it wasn't directed fully at them.</p><p></p><p>I lived 18 yrs as a target child. My sibs weren't spared but it was nowhere the same degree. They will say that mom was a control freak and a bit loony (the latter they can just now admit in their 50's) but they honestly do not see the abuse per se. Sadly, they've also repeated much of it themselves due to it. They don't see it as abuse because they weren't the target. And yes, often, they took on this brothers role as well. The abusive environment was "normal" for them as well. It's like trying to convince Travis his eyesight had deteriorated to legal blindness. For him, it was "normal", he had adapted. He didn't see what the big deal was because he had no memories of what life was like with normal vision. </p><p></p><p>Extended family is a whole other matter. They may or may not see enough to draw the conclusion that a child is being abused. If they do see enough, there is the whole slippery slop of evidence needed to turn them in. Then of course there is the repercussions of having taken that step. If the family (including extended) is dysfunctional enough, the are less likely to recognize abuse as abuse. </p><p></p><p>Also for the entire family, due to the two brothers coming out, they now are forced to examine their own lives, which puts them into a very uncomfortable position if they are firmly seated in denial. </p><p></p><p>I've spoken out about my childhood abuse. BDTD The major uproar it caused within the entire family you would just not believe......still causes some 30 yrs later. </p><p></p><p>While I could tell you stories that would give you nightmares, I doubt I could fill a book with them. Not because I don't have years to draw from, but because for me it was "normal" and it does tend to blend together. </p><p></p><p>Abusers abuse because it makes them feel powerful and in control. Period. Mental illness is not required.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Hound dog, post: 654998, member: 84"] I believe the author was abused, however, I've believed from the moment I read it that it was greatly exaggerated with many of his stories, some may be fabricated completely. The bleach, for instance. Bleach is an acid. You drink it, heaven forbid, and it eats away at the flesh rapidly, even a small amount. I remember shaking my head quite a lot while reading his book. He may not be a skilled writer, but I dunno, it just didn't quite ring true......childhood memories or not. I have no issue giving him the benefit of exaggeration. It could be due childhood memories (doubtful as abuse memories tend to stay vivid) or it could be a simple case of trying to fill pages, believe it or not. It's really tough for a target child of abuse over many years to sit down and think up each instance from day to day, week to week, or even sometimes year to year. Prolonged abuse tends to blend events and it has it's own "normalcy". Nor did I feel any emotion in his words, which seems extremely odd for someone telling such a story. I was less than impressed. I've not read the brother's book, didn't know it existed until I saw this post. Oddly, from what has been said here..........HIS story rings true, complete it seems with more emotion than his brothers. The other siblings/family denying how bad it truly was isn't uncommon. In their eyes, from their perspective, it wasn't that bad as it wasn't directed fully at them. I lived 18 yrs as a target child. My sibs weren't spared but it was nowhere the same degree. They will say that mom was a control freak and a bit loony (the latter they can just now admit in their 50's) but they honestly do not see the abuse per se. Sadly, they've also repeated much of it themselves due to it. They don't see it as abuse because they weren't the target. And yes, often, they took on this brothers role as well. The abusive environment was "normal" for them as well. It's like trying to convince Travis his eyesight had deteriorated to legal blindness. For him, it was "normal", he had adapted. He didn't see what the big deal was because he had no memories of what life was like with normal vision. Extended family is a whole other matter. They may or may not see enough to draw the conclusion that a child is being abused. If they do see enough, there is the whole slippery slop of evidence needed to turn them in. Then of course there is the repercussions of having taken that step. If the family (including extended) is dysfunctional enough, the are less likely to recognize abuse as abuse. Also for the entire family, due to the two brothers coming out, they now are forced to examine their own lives, which puts them into a very uncomfortable position if they are firmly seated in denial. I've spoken out about my childhood abuse. BDTD The major uproar it caused within the entire family you would just not believe......still causes some 30 yrs later. While I could tell you stories that would give you nightmares, I doubt I could fill a book with them. Not because I don't have years to draw from, but because for me it was "normal" and it does tend to blend together. Abusers abuse because it makes them feel powerful and in control. Period. Mental illness is not required. [/QUOTE]
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The David Pelzer "A Child Called It" Family War aftermath of book
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