Why do people stay in unhealthy or abusive relationships?

People who have never been abused often wonder why a person wouldn't just leave an abusive relationship. They don't understand that breaking up can be more complicated than it seems. There are many reasons why people stay in abusive relationships. read more

There are many reasons why people stay in abusive relationships. If you have a friend in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, support them by understanding why they may not want to or be able to leave. Conflicting Emotions. Fear: Your friend may be afraid of what will happen if they decide to leave the relationship. read more

People stay in unhealthy or abusive relationships because it’s learned behavior. They learned it from their parents, who modeled it for them when they were children. People gravitate to the familiar. But in this case, it’s also about healing. read more

Pregnancy or Parenting: A person may feel pressured to stay in an unhealthy relationship because of pregnancy or may feel pressured to raise their child by both parents. Also, the abusive partner may threaten to take away their child if they leave. read more