I Grew Up in the Kind of Family Beloved By Republicans -- And It Was Hell
http://www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/i-grew-kind-family-beloved-republicans-and-it-was-hell
My father asks me what four times four is, and all I can think is “eight,” though I know that’s wrong; whether it’s better — safer — to be wrong or to say, “I don’t know,” depends upon his mood. The way my mother smiles at me as she clears my plate is of no help, there’s no telltale tightness in her eyes. He drums the flashcard against the tabletop and sighs. My fingers worry the edges of the iron-on patches — a rabbit and a duck — that Mom has fixed to my corduroy jumper. I gamble on “eight,” but a yawn slips out instead. I haven’t even closed my mouth before he smacks it open again. He backhands me hard enough to blot out the world.
The family at the kitchen table is an indelible image, classic Americana. It sells pancakes and life insurance, and every four years, it peddles politicians. Each election cycle, the steely female narrators of campaign ads ask us to consider which candidate is best for American families, families that might’ve looked like mine until my father’s hand left me deaf and reeling for days.
I grew up in the kind of two-parent, father-makes-the-bacon, mother-fries-it-up home that Mitt Romney waxed ecstatic about when fielding a debate question on gun violence : “We need moms and dads helping raise kids … to tell our kids that before they have babies, they ought to think about getting married to someone — that’s a great idea because if there’s a two-parent family, the prospect of living in poverty goes down dramatically.”
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I think xchrom, Mike and I must be siblings. 
It saddens me greatly to think what life would be like growing up in that kind of environment. 
I was fortunate enough to be raised by "flower children" of the 60's. There's only 2 times in my life that my father ever struck me, both were in my teens, and I must admit... I REALLY pushed for it.. and both times, he most definitely felt much worse about it than I did.
I was raised with the principles to love all of mankind. To treat all people according to their actions, and never appearance. Coming out to my parents was amazingly easy. My father is gone now, and I miss him horribly. My mother is so wonderful and loving. My husband is treated as a son by her in every way. For my mother the only thing about my homosexuality that ever bothered her... she really really really wants grandchildren from me I think she's accepted that isn't going to happen though.
So, coming from a family like mine, the kind of experience you mention is a totally alien concept.. but it sounds absolutely horrendous.
