Dysfunctional families still have a considerable impact on the formation of individual identities today. Family problems had a significant impact on suicide rates in 2019, with attempts increasing in number over the years. In 2018 alone, "there were 3,046 deaths by suicide, with an age-specific rate of 12.2 per 100,000. This equates to an average of 8.3 deaths by suicide in Australia every day." Craig Silvey uses the characters Jasper Jones and Charlie to depict the impact of home life on teenagers. Not only does he do this, but he also reflects the importance of this topic to his readers through its negative impacts. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay Family dynamics will ultimately impact and influence the way young people perceive others and their environment. It will also impact their relationships, behaviors and future. The novel is full of examples of dysfunctional families. In Jaspers' case, the absence of his alcoholic father and his being half-Native made him a town pariah. Due to the absence of Jaspers father he was forced to grow up while the other children were still children, this was evident in the quote "I have taken care of myself since I can remember". This still happens today with approximately 21% of children living or being involved with parents who are alcoholics or drug addicts. Statistics show that emotionally abusive parents are not uncommon, with emotional abuse being the most common type of documented child abuse in Australia in 2015-2016. 45% of children experience or are involved in this type of treatment. Charlie's character fell into this 45%. His mother Ruth was a bitter and vindictive woman. She felt extreme resentment for her life in Corrigan. This is seen in her interactions with young Charlie and her husband Wesley. Throughout the novel, it is evident that she becomes a blunt and impatient woman who criticizes and criticizes her son and husband for no apparent reason. In the novel, Silvey uses a series of quotes to express Ruth's negative behavior and the effects it had on Charlie. As the book unfolded, so did Ruth's true colors. Charlie uses the comparison of a "snake ready to strike" after the night he and Jasper disappeared. By comparing Charlie's mother to a "snake", Silvey emphasizes to the reader how angry she is and how toxic and strained their relationship has become. Other cases had a huge impact on Charlie and his identity. Catching his mother being unfaithful to his father changed him drastically. With frequent signs of this possible behavior, such as his mother going into town more often than usual and the presumed cause of his unhappiness being Charlie's father's lack of wealth and the initial move to Corrigan. He tells her that “this means I no longer have to do what you say,” because he feels that his mother has lost all moral authority over him. Charlie then becomes a more cautious and suspicious individual. Charlie mentioned that his mother had become "so tough." This illustrates the lack of love and warmth in their relationship. Another crucial character used by Craig Silvey was Jasper Jones. Not only did Jasper's home life affect him, but the racism throughout his town and the discriminatory actions of others had a huge impact on his opinions, morals, and personality. Throughout the parental novel or lack of parenting in Jaspers, the case