I just found a classic example of projection. The author of the article passionately despises single mothers and low-income families and projects this contempt onto “our society.” Of course, it’s easier to blame some imaginary “society” than to accept that she is a hopeless self-hating hypocrite who sees herself as worthless unless a man has validated her existence with “a piece of paper.”
Whenever I see anybody write, “our society tells us that. . .” or “we are conditioned to. . .” I immediately know that what I’m seeing is a projection. The beliefs the author assigns to “society” or conceals behind the use of the passive voice are his or her own.
By the way, when I had my card rejected at a dollar store, of all places, all I saw in the faces of people around me was compassion and a desire to help me avoid feeling any discomfort over it. Maybe that’s because my philosophy is “Shit happens” and I see nothing at all shameful in having financial problems. Or being a single parent, for that matter.

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