both my parents grew up in unstable environments - neither of them had fathers around when they were growing up - and went on to overcome so much (mom had a druggie brother, then got cancer right after she and my dad were married. dad was an alcoholic and kinda emotionally unstable) and provide a great life for my brother, sister and i.
a few yrs ago my little brother went through a really bad time, getting into all kinds of fights in school, in and out of the correctional school adjunct to the middle school and now, he's 14 and he's more intelligent and independent than most people twice his age.
my little sister, also 14, was actually arrested a few months ago for knocking a girl unconscious during a fight at school. with the ensuing legal stuff, she has had to go through much more than most kids her age. she went to a computer program at the same correctional place my little brother had gone to and had some of the highest grades there, as well as being on the honor roll as soon as she was admitted back into the high school. she's also one of the most intelligent, compassionate, and spirited people i know.