Generational trauma, also called intergenerational trauma, occurs when the effects of a traumatic event experienced by one generation is passed down to their descendants. This trauma may be the result of war, slavery, colonization, forced migration, abuse or systemic oppression. It isn’t only about the memories of these events but also about how they change the ways families interact, communicate, and cope.
For example, a grandparent who lived through a war may develop behaviors of hyper-vigilance, emotional suppression, or fear of scarcity. These patterns can influence how they raise their children, who may then carry these coping mechanisms into their own parenting styles. My books, Rage that Spans Generation and Faces in the Smoke, engage with these issues. In the next several weeks, we will exploring the myths related to generational trauma. You’re invited to join me on this journey.
