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Is there a word for the concept of not repeating your parents' mistakes?

English Language & Usage Asked by Werewoof on January 16, 2021

This is such an odd question, I know, but I’m curious if such a thing has a one-or-two-word name. This may get Freudian, though I’m not expert there.

For example: person Y, a descendant of X, did not have a close relationship to X. Therefore, Y’s behaviors and needs are formed by what they did, and didn’t, get from X. This catalyst may move them to try and obtain that thing, or if they have children Z of their own, to not pass along the same mistakes. Though, they’ll probably pass along new mistakes instead, thus repeating the cycle from a different perspective.

What is this cycle called? The Cycle of Convictions? Generational Upcycling? Something not explicitly saying "cycle"?

I just don’t know. It feels like there should be a word out there for this concept.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

One Answer

How about the idiom breaking the cycle. From The Free Dictionary:

break the cycle: To not participate in dysfunctional and/or unhealthy behavior. Often, such behavior is commonplace in one's family, and the person breaking the cycle does so to keep it from continuing through future generations.

This definition speaks directly to the concept of not repeating one's parents' mistakes.

Correct answer by Richard Kayser on January 16, 2021

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