Being the black sheep of the family is not easy, it breaks the balance of the group and is the “scapegoat”, on which all defects are projected. Now, if you feel identified with this situation, ask yourself the following question: Would you like to be part of this flock where all the sheep are white ?, Are we part of social groups: families, friends, professional contexts?Thus, in a way, there is almost always an implicit rule: membership involves having to make the same judgments, have the same values, etc. In fact, coincidence is usually seen as an indication of cohesion.
The black sheep is not evil, nor brutal, nor pretentious, it is simply different, someone who has learned to avoid stones, to think differently and who always knew which direction to go, not like the flock of white sheep.
- In psychology.
- These people are called “identified patients.
- “If these situations are not handled properly.
- We will be the ones who will show the symptoms of this dysfunctional family or this toxic scenario.
Don’t let that happen. If you are considered the black sheep, learn to be proud to think differently. Is it a great privilege?
Henri Tajfel was a social psychologist famous for coining the term “black sheep effect”. An idea with which we can certainly identify, either at the family level or in any other social context.
The black sheep effect says that more criticism and psychological pressure is exerted on the members of the group itself than on those around it. Membership in a social context, in some cases, goes hand in hand with domination and control.
At the moment we say, don’t you define me, they look at us with concern and fear because we cross the border of the acceptable, the healthy and the virtuous.
When you assume you’re the black sheep of the family, you have two options: sink or react, believe it or not, there are many people who, by a very fragile identity, accept emotional abuse, criticism and contempt.
The person rated as bad or different from the rest of the family assumes on the skin the metaphor of a harmful and dysfunctional environment, however, the rest of the family members are in a comfortable situation because they feel free of responsibility: there is a status quo in which everyone has a role.
To avoid these extreme situations in which self-esteem is so vulnerable, it is necessary to think about these dimensions:
When you show an alternative way of thinking, dressing, and living, others will begin to label you as the “black sheep” because they are aware that they are losing control over you.
In many cases being the black sheep can be a privilege, now to come to this conclusion you need to cancel many layers: