I grew up in a household where we didn't really talk about our feelings, and where the only reason you went to a doctor was because you'd accidentally cut off a limb with a chain saw.
The quote reflects the author’s upbringing in a household that avoided discussions about emotions and mental health. In such an environment, expressing feelings was not common, and medical attention was only sought for serious physical injuries, emphasizing a practical and perhaps stoic approach to life. This background likely influenced the author's perspective on emotional issues and the importance of discussing them openly.
In Jodi Picoult's "Sing You Home," this insight into the author’s family dynamics may serve as a backdrop for the characters' struggles with vulnerability and communication. It highlights how silence around emotional matters can affect relationships and individual well-being, pointing to a broader theme in the narrative regarding the need for connection and understanding in one’s life.