For parents, that could be possibly explained by the parent being abused by their own parents: that behavior is acceptable, or they think they’re being “good parents” because they aren’t beating you with a hockey stick. And also, the parent could have a pre-conceived notion of what that child should be (athletic, or a certain GPA, prettier, you name it) and blame it on the child.
Of course, then there’s plain old status, too. Especially if the abuser is being put down themselves. They might feel the need to exert power in the only capacity that they know how.
For a more complete answer, I would add something about an abused person that has been unable to heal wants to recreate the negative life situations with those closest and most dependent, so they don’t feel so isolated, to justify their experiences as ‘normal’ and also out of spite/anger at the world for not treating them properly.
Of course, abuse of dependents and ‘malice’ are different things requiring two different explanations, though not mutually exclusive. I suppose malice is more about increasing or experiencing (larger group) ‘status’ as the other comments have been focusing on.
For parents, that could be possibly explained by the parent being abused by their own parents: that behavior is acceptable, or they think they’re being “good parents” because they aren’t beating you with a hockey stick. And also, the parent could have a pre-conceived notion of what that child should be (athletic, or a certain GPA, prettier, you name it) and blame it on the child.
Of course, then there’s plain old status, too. Especially if the abuser is being put down themselves. They might feel the need to exert power in the only capacity that they know how.
I think this is the best answer so far..
For a more complete answer, I would add something about an abused person that has been unable to heal wants to recreate the negative life situations with those closest and most dependent, so they don’t feel so isolated, to justify their experiences as ‘normal’ and also out of spite/anger at the world for not treating them properly.
Of course, abuse of dependents and ‘malice’ are different things requiring two different explanations, though not mutually exclusive. I suppose malice is more about increasing or experiencing (larger group) ‘status’ as the other comments have been focusing on.