If I was to describe a powerful force that affects how you think, influences your behavior and

embodies the very thoughts of our ancestors translated into being in us, you might think I was
describing a sci-fi novel. However, intergenerational memory is this force and whether you
know what it is or not, it effects you every day and future generations! In this post Ill describe
what intergenerational memory is, use several examples and discuss what they mean. Ill touch
on how it relates to literature
Intergenerational memory put simply, is the experiences, culture, perspective and even behavior
that is passed from past generations to future generations. To explore this phrase more and come
to a better understanding of it, Ill use an analogy and some examples.
Intergenerational memoryinsofar as the relationship and interaction or context of its
environmentcould be compared with the connection betwixt a dog and its bone. The dog may
get kicked or mistreated, and some of that aggression may be reflected in that bone even though
the bone was never kicked. Likewise if the canine has its physiological needs met and indeed
moving up Maslows pyramid of needshad safety and love from its owners, the bone may
receive some more loving care too. Granted, this analogy is overly simple and somewhat
factious, yet I think the point is made.
To elucidate however, intergenerational memory is not simply kick the dog syndrome. To
better clarify this concept, I found an article about Witnessing the effects of political violence in
families: mechanisms of intergenerational transmission and clinical interventions that stressed
how children can be left open to the effects of the violence their elders endured. Further it states
the trauma ofviolence experienced in one generation can pass to another that did not
directly experienced it (Kaethe Weingarten).
Another palpable reference to intergenerational memory is the Holocaust. As stated in
Intergenerational Memory of the Holocaust; A critical backlash has also been evident, even
from among the children themselves against the penchant of the early Holocaust literature to
formulate the transmission of deep psychopathology from one generation to the next. (Nanette
C. Auerhahn) Clearly influenced by the Holocaust and literary works of the time, the emotion,
the thinking and demeanor of those children were affected and that was passed in some measure
to their children and so forth. There are often unexpected results seen in the memory and
behavior of future generations as well however. For instance, the unyielding approach of authors
and climate of the literature of that era caused some to be indifferent or incredulous; in part
because to admit the extent of destruction committed, would be tantamount to admitting Hitlers
success. This knee-jerk reaction has discouraged, for some, the acknowledgment of the
Holocaust and what really occurred.
From a more personal approach to comprehending intergenerational memory, the
Intergenerational Studies of Parenting and the Transfer of Risk From Parent to Child attempts
to understand the behavior of parents and subsequently, their children. This study involves
observing the origins and early determinants of parenting behavior (Karp) and other
circumstances such as the environment, physical health and social status; pooling from a large
cross-section of demographics and populations. The aforementioned factors have been shown to
cause an increased likelihood of the children following in their parents footsteps, or to be
clearer, a child is likely to continue the same behavior patterns of their parent. This includes
repeating the paradigm of their parents; anything from thinking-how-they-think to problematic
social behavior, aggression, or even health problems to nurturing habits, protective instinct and
positive supportive relationships. Despite a possible caustic environment, education has been
proven to act as a buffer against degrading family situations and precarious parenting habits,
obstructing the very transfer of these negative parenting behaviors.
To sum up intergenerational memory, effects our decisions, our perspective and even our
behavior; dont lightly dismiss the past.
Works Cited
Dictionary.com. 2014. 08 02 2014 <http://dictionary.reference.com/>.
Kaethe Weingarten, PhD, Dept. of Psychiatry, HMS, The Family Inst. of Cambridge. Wiley
Online Library. 2014. 07 02 2014 <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com>.
Karp, Jennifer. Sage Journals. 2014. 08 02 2014 <http://cdp.sagepub.com/>.
Nanette C. Auerhahn, Dori Laub. Springer link. 1998. 08 02 2014
<http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4757-5567-1_2>.