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> Maybe because as children
> they
> couldn't see that it wasn't all about them but really about their
> parents
> and their parents issues?

Yes, I think this is, at least, part of it. Some environments are less
healthy than others and I think it can be hard for children to separate
themselves from their parents, emotionally.

My mother was very controlling. She also used food as a reward, (woof!)
as comfort, and the lack of food as a punishment. She was a "clean your
plate or else" mom.
None of us have food issues like weight problems or bingeing, but we all
still like our comfort foods.
My dad was a ( insert anything you like here ) aholic, when I say jump,
you ask how far on the way up, dad.
We all fit into the normal category. We all left home as soon as
possible. My sister got married, secretly, and moved out on her 18th
birthday, leaving my mom a note.
We all turned out ok. How, I don't know.<g> It came out all right for
all of us, but childhood was terrible. None of my siblings had more than
one child and several made the choice not to have any.

Maybe somehow, somewhere we got the message that our parents problems
didn't have to be ours forever. Leaving home meant leaving those issues
behind.
I still hope for something better for kids than having to live for the
day they can leave.
But it's an interesting topic, and I still blame my mom for everything.
<g>

Deb L