More women come forward to share growing up with 'toxic' mothers

Naho Kato, second from right, and women who experienced complex relationships with their mothers, talk about their experiences in Nagoya in February. (Chieko Hara)


NAGOYA--Although long considered taboo as the mark of an undutiful child, women have begun sharing their traumatic experiences stemming from growing up with “toxic” mothers to regain their self-worth.

“I was often locked away in a storage room by my angry mother,” said one of the five women who recently gathered together to discuss their childhood scars in Nagoya.

Another said, “I, as a child, was never comforted by my mother.”

“Although my mother used to say it was for my own good, meddling in my affairs was nothing but her attempt to control my life,” still another said.

Ranging in age from 20s to 50s, the participants poured their hearts out, some in tears, at the three-hour gathering, called “Ohanashi-kai” (talking session).

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201403260005