ABSTRACT

The effort to differentiate a self in the nuclear family and the family of origin can be a lifelong endeavor. Along the way, typical life events ensue, some expected, some unexpected. Departures from the family home, marriage, career selections, and geographical moves alongside an unplanned pregnancy, chronic illness, and premature death provide potential opportunities to more clearly defi ne the non-negotiables by which an individual strives to lead a principled life. But there are complications.