There are a few reasons that I can think of. Here's the most likely (imo): There is a book, Shame and Guilt by Jane Middelton-Moz, that begins with a metaphorical story written as a fairy tale. The father is called Giant, the mother is Chameleon, and their daughter is called Perfect Giant. In the story, Chameleon is overjoyed when her daughter Perfect is born. She knew that her daughter would be strong, beautiful, talented, intelligent; everything Chameleon had only dreamed of being.


So Chameleon felt debilitating shame for her existence and was going to find worth in the perfection of her daughter... but then this happened

Anything less than (her mothers idea of) perfection reflected poorly on her mother - well, at least her mother thought so. Likewise, perfection meant that her mother had raised her right - vindicating her. She placed responsibility for her esteem on her child.


Because, of course, Perfect would hide them.