This book, which can be downloaded free of charge, is a comprehensive overview of the physical and mental heath needs, relationships with adult children, and social issues of our population over age 50.  It is edited by award winning writer Gloria Hochman.  (SaraKay Smullens, CFLE, wrote the chapter on Friendship.)

Since most parents love their children as much as they can, and in similar ways or reaction to how they were loved --  "Setting YourSelf Free" examines what gets in the way of the development of dignity, and shows that it is malignant, invisible cycles of emotional abuse.  Emotional abuse is always part of physical and sexual abuse, but also appears separately and invisibly, growing in intensity as generations pass, unless there is intervention.  Five cycles or patterns of emotional abuse are codified:  rage, enmeshment, rejection/abandonment, severe neglect, and extreme over-protection and overindulgence.   The book, with exercises, shows how emotional abuse, without intervention destroy marriages, families, friendships work settings, and communities.