Like Roadie, I wonder if this might be confusion on your part. It might be somehow comforting to hold onto something from your past. It's known to you?

perhaps though, it's keeping you from exploring exactly who you are.

I think there are things that are culture and there are things that are pathological. I also think that there are some cultures that are pathological.

For me, therapy works best when I put it all on the table for discussion. When I open myself to considering all different points of view. I can then truly chose for myself what I keep and what I don't.

I may end up totally disagreeing with an opinion, but at least it is a considered disagreement and not a reaction based in fear.

It can be very hard to cast off the evil that is known for the potential evil unknown.