Struggling under the baggage of previous generations – Pastoral perspectives

The problems surrounding inter-generational trauma are related to the fact that parents often go through intense trauma without the necessary help and guidance afterwards. The children and grandchildren who grow up in such a family can end up being affected in numerous ways by the impact of this unprocessed trauma, without the real cause always being identified. Such children in reality find themselves within a dysfunctional and sick family system. Consequently, many of the typical symptoms and behaviors of dysfunctional families are also discussed in this course. Because parenting skills are usually negatively affected by unprocessed trauma, this is one of the major contributing factors to dysfunction within such families. Perspectives regarding this theme from different disciplines are integrated in this course, while a model for pastoral guidance of such victims is finally discussed.