BREAKING THE CYCLE OF ABUSE, ON THE SEASON FINALE OF "PRIMETIME: FAMILY SECRETS," TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 ON ABC

Are we all programmed from childhood to make the same mistakes our parents made in raising us? "Primetime: Family Secrets" puts cameras in the homes of three families, as each parent struggles to break the cycle of blame, anger and punishment that marked their upbringing. The odds are hard to overcome -- one in three people abused as children will also use physical force on their own children, according to several child behavior experts. But the families featured in the hour are hoping to beat the odds by taking part in a mentoring program for at-risk parents in Florida. If they can adjust their ways, their children's lives could be changed in immeasurable ways. Chris Cuomo reports on the season finale of "Primetime: Family Secrets," TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

David Sloan is the executive producer of "Primetime: Family Secrets."