My mother was similarly manipulative. My earliest memories are of her telling me that she didn't want me, that she only wanted girls. She repeated this to me on a weekly if not daily basis throughout my childhood. She wasn't a feminist, she just wanted to ensure that I didn't feel entitled to any maternal affection, that I would have to earn it by finding ways to please her despite being a boy. This generally meant that I was to support her in her campaign of hatred toward my father, who--she was quick to insist--would have had me aborted if she hadn't objected.