What's the difference between tough love and emotional abuse?

Abuse is an attempt to control somebody else. It's important to understand that most abusers do not realize they are abusive, thus excuse their own behavior with terms like “tough love”. They do not realize they are abusive because they had the same “tough love” in their own childhood. read more

Tough love was never about emotional abuse. In their basic forms and intentions, the two really can’t be mistaken for each other. Tough love is aimed at dealing with family members who are addicts, criminals, or problem adolescents by requiring them to take responsibility for their actions. read more

Tough love is about setting clear boundaries, holding to expectations, allowing natural consequences and not enabling destructive behavior. Emotional abuse is about power dynamics and deficiencies in the abuser. read more