The quote reflects a common tendency to address problems superficially rather than tackling underlying issues. The narrator highlights a pattern within their family where significant problems were often overlooked, resulting in a superficial approach to conflict resolution. This creates a sense of discomfort, as the true problems are ignored while the visible signs are superficially addressed.

The mention of an "elephant in every room" serves as a powerful metaphor for the unacknowledged issues that permeate their family life. It illustrates how these ignored problems became a pervasive part of their upbringing, suggesting that avoidance behaviors can become so normalized that they are treated as a familiar part of daily life.