To add to the many things my mother has poorly imparted on me... My mother has taught me that outward appearances are far more important than anything deeper in meaning.
Make sure you clean the house; people might think we live like slobs or rednecks. Use this face wash; your face looks terrible because of your acne. I wish you'd wear more attractive clothing. Why don't you use make up? You'll never get a job if you aren't young and thin and pretty. I'm embarrassed to go out with you in public.
All of these things I've heard from my mother. Most of them repeatedly. If you ever wonder why my self esteem is shit - this is why.
How can I ever feel adequate when my mother has done nothing but tell me I'm not, just because I don't buy into the obsession of superficiality?