Family secrets

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the literature that reveals extensive classifications of the family secrets. The review includes definitions, comparisons of family secrecy to family privacy, types of family secrets, reasons why families avoid exposing certain activities, and factors contributing to the maintenance of a secret. The disclosing of hidden information is discussed with emphasis on how such revelations occur, factors influencing exposition as well as the functions and negative consequences of such openness. The article concludes with suggestions for further research.