Reply #123: that certainly applies in my brother's case

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and of course, it does apply to both sexes. one of my friends was abandoned by her mother...she still carries the pain of that experience at 47. her mother kept her sons, but gave away her daughters, and she kept the girls away from each other. they didn't get to know each other until they were adults. i've heard many stories like hers (and much, much worse) over the years. the things people do to their children is heartbreaking. i never wanted children because i knew it would take most of my life to heal from my own childhood experiences...and it has. too bad more people don't realize they shouldn't have children.