My parents were depressed when I was growing up. I believe they did the best job they were able to do. I believe they did many things right, but I also believe they did things wrong. Their parenting directly affected me. Maybe they bear no responsibility for their parenting being imperfect, but that doesn't change the fact that it was and that influenced my upbringing, my view of the world, my coping skills. Do I blame them? It really depends on how you define guilt. In criminal charges there are two things that need to be proven. Actus Reas (guilty act) and mens rea (guilty mind.) There is no way my parents met the second criteria, but that doesn't mean they didn't the first. I have bipolar and I think that it was partially caused by my parents parenting. It was partially caused by how I was treated by my sibling and my peers. It was partially caused by my action or lack of action and my thought patterns. And it was partially caused by genetics. It was a 'perfect storm.' I think it is inappropriate to attribute it all to genetics or all to parenting.