Why does it take an abused woman or man so long to end the relationship or marriage?
It varies from individual to individual. I personally was never in an abusive marriage. My friend’s mom was, and she wanted to stay with him, but knew it wasn’t right for her or her kids to be treated that way. She left, and he has since remarried. He has chosen to completely cut her and her children off from his life. He only pays the alimony because the court has ordered it. I think the main thing that keeps a woman or man in an abusive relationship is denial. No, that person really loves me, he is just trying to show me that he cares about me. He didn’t mean all those things he said to me. He didn’t mean to hurt me. Some are so used to the abuse that they treat it as normal and can’t distinguish the difference. Others are so immersed in self-loathing that they think they deserve it or that nobody else will love them if they choose to leave. Others stay married out of fear. Fear of being a single parent, or fear of reprucussions (sp?). Fear of harming either them or their children. I
