Wilson’s Theory Critique
Pam Thibeaux
Liberty University

Overview of Wilson’s Theory There has been educated studies on children who grow up in abusive homes that grow to be abusive in their adult lives and the author was trying to project the message clearly stated in the title of her book Hurt people hurt people; it effectively summarizes the basis of her thesis. In Dr. Wilson’s theory (2001) she presents the idea that in one form or another, everyone is a hurt person. Although, these hurt people with “these unseen wounds will inevitably wound another person when he or she tries to function in areas that affect the unresolved hurts, often making things worse” (Wilson, 2001, p. 10). In her perception wounded souls are the cause of most maladaptive adult behaviors (Wilson, 2001, p. 85) and advises that those offends are created early in one’s childhood in which the child deemed necessary. Stressing the importance of family systems and rational behavioral approaches Dr. Wilson explains that children are likely to be unable to think for themselves because they often lack reasoning capabilities; this gives parents even more ammunition to act on the right to control their children with extreme measure. There is a saying amongst some parents to “do as I say and not as I do” which is common but not healthy. It will not be until later that children spark the nerve to question their parents or their parent’s intent. Dr. Wilson (2001) uses the term binding shame to describe a deep seated belief in one’s lack of value. She states that a person who is shackled by shame is restricted by a devastating sense of being “worth less” (Wilson, 2001, p. 17) than others. It is safe to assume that various life problems start to manifest when binding shame takes root in one’s life. It however, stands as a direct contradiction to the word of God and this could taint all “perceptions, choices and relationships” (Wilson, 2001, p. 18). Dr. Wilson also implies that often childish solutions of “trust, identity, and attachment” (Wilson, 2001, p. 73-83) are the root of binding shame and lead to many problems in one’s adult life. Overall, adults are simply grown people who were molded from childhood. This could include any cause and effect responsive decisions that create dysfunctional behavior designed for survival in emotional situations. However, initially created to survive the childhood