Family Myths: Living Our Roles, Betraying Ourselves

Since early childhood, many of us have lived with false identities assigned to us by our parents, according to psychologist Block ( Motherhood As Metamorphosis ). To the extent that we unconsciously adhere to such roles as ``Mama's Boy,'' ``Troublemaker,'' ``Goddess'' or ``God,'' our true natures are buried or denied. Block cites figures in folklore and popular culture and relates them to the cases of patients like Sherry, a bulimic who strives to be an emotionless Snow Queen, a ``bodiless spirit.'' Block examines the emotional needs these roles meet within the entire family, and how they work together in the family drama. She advises readers how to identify the ``real self,'' and how to shed traits that, by playing out old myths, squelch true success and happiness. Citing the centrality of psychoanalytic and family-systems theories to her ideas, Block offers a valuable approach to psychotherapy. (Feb.)