Messed Up

[namsteven]

Dear friends and Teachers,

A. I'm a 20 year old college student, studying anthropology. My family background is basically messed up.

- What does "messed up" mean in this context?

Thanks a million!

NamSteven

 

[Raymott]

Dear friends and Teachers,

A. I'm a 20 year old college student, studying anthropology. My family background is basically messed up.

- What does "messed up" mean in this context?

Thanks a million!

NamSteven

It means irregular, dysfunctional. Your father is probably a Portuguese sailor who left home when you were 2 years old; your Thai mother married an alcoholic, and now has to work in a Nike factory in the Philippines to keep you in college. Your older half-sister is a prostitute and a heroine addict in Bangkok, and she refuses to speak to you. You've just found out that your college money has actually come from your uncle who has been illegally selling other people's kidneys. He's been arrested, and you have to pay back the money. Should I go on?