Keeping Family Secrets

"Keeping Family Secrets" explores how families have historically concealed certain truths to protect their reputations and preserve social ideals, drawing on over 150 memoirs from the post-World War II era through the 1960s. The book reveals hidden stories related to same-sex attraction, unplanned pregnancies, institutionalization, political activism, adoption, and ancestry, highlighting the profound impact of historical context on these secrets. By examining personal narratives, Margaret K. Nelson sheds light on the ongoing relevance of family secrets and prompts reflection on what might still be concealed today.