Maybe if I had ceased contact with toxic family members (e.g. my dad, "You idiot!"), my self-esteem might not have tanked, but the damage was done before age five. College was liberating and I soared, but then came motherhood and the obligation to make sure my kids knew their grandparents. The perks and blessings of knowing our family must outweigh the ridicule and shunning (and the favoritism toward others), right?
In hindsight, don't we all regret not having spent more time with our departed parents/siblings/etc?

"The generational curse" is another trending concept among today's therapists.

It seems to have various meanings. Here is one:
Pain travels through families until
someone is ready to feel it.
—Stephi Wagner
@motherwoundproject
"Our generational curse is avoidance" - and those born with the gift of healing are labeled mental health patients (or shamans, healers) ... "Pain travels through famlies until someone is ready to feel it"