This paper presents a discussion of issues concerning the concept of borderline personality disorder. We start from the constitution of the borderline structure, and move towards understanding particular aspects of borderline development, both on an individual and a collective level. This discussion is based on the examination of a progression in three different concentric circles: first, the context of child-parent relationships; second, interpersonal relationships established in the school environment; and, finally, an amplification of some aspects of contemporary culture that could be related to the current importance of this condition.