With the growing numbers of women reporting to be harassed in a relationship, most of us must wonder why do women stay in abusive relationships? As per 2011 reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), at least one in three women is subjected to physical harassment by their partners at some point in their lives (1). However, abuse may not be limited to just physical, it can also be mental and emotional. Physical abuse may include hitting, kicking, snapping, or in worst cases, causing trauma to the partner. On the other hand, emotional abuse may include constant insults, threatening, and isolating the partner. Any woman who is in an abusive relationship is advised to walk out on a man who disrespects and causes any harm to them. It may not be easy as most relationships could be more complicated than they seem to be. Unfortunately, some women choose to continue in abusive relationships for many reasons. This post allows you to understand the probable reasons why women choose to continue in such relationships. Read on.
12 Reasons Why Women Stay In Abusive Relationships
The reason why some women continue to put on with an abusive spouse varies from person to person. Let’s have a look at some of the most common reasons.
1. They hope the abuser will change one day
Some abusers use a caring and loving approach after every abusive episode to appease the victim. It is like dangling a carrot before women that gives them false hope that the abuser will love them if they change their behavior. Also, if these women have invested a lot of time and effort in the relationship, they live in the hope that eventually, all the pain will be worth the probable chance at happiness.
2. They are afraid of their abuser
Some women find themselves in toxic relationships where the abuser uses a fear-mongering attitude to keep them under control. The abuser threatens to harm the victim, their children, or themselves. In cases where the victim is dependent on them, they threaten to annul the financial support. They ensure that the consequence of leaving becomes more scary and daunting than the experience of abuse. It leaves the women with no option but to put up with abuse.
3. They blame themselves for everything
After facing abuse, victims often start doubting themselves. It happens when their spouse blames them for their bad behavior. They start believing that they must have done something wrong that compelled the abuser to subject them to such intimidatory actions. They may recognize the maltreatment of the abuser, but their guilt-ridden mind convinces them to analyze the misbehavior from the abuser’s perspective.
4. They want to protect their children
Some women endure years of physical and mental abuse for the sake of their children. They are ready to face the hardships without protesting to protect their little ones, as they do not want their children to grow up in broken families. Therefore, they go through harsh scenarios to show they live in a normal environment.
5. They may not have the resources to move out
Divorce is expensive and exhausting. Some women quit working after marriage or after having children. Such women may not have the resources to bear legal expenses. Also, they may have to start their life afresh post-separation that may not be a feasible option. Since they cannot support themselves, they might choose to continue staying in an abusive relationship.
6. They may be wary of their partner’s social standing
In cases where women are married to successful and famous men who hold respectable positions in society, the victims bear abuse in silence, fearing an impact on the family’s reputation. Also, if the spouse has a preeminence in the society, women fear no one would believe their story; on the contrary, they may blame them for ruining their husband or family’s image.
7. They fear isolation
Abusers who are shrewd and conniving might isolate the woman from friends and family. Women may fear separation from people who matter to them, so they silently bear the misbehavior and misconduct from their partner.
8. They question their self-worth
Exposure to emotional abuse can zap anyone’s self-worth. When an abusive partner constantly tells them they are worthless or mocks their appearance, it leaves a deep impact on their subconscious mind and can make them believe they do not deserve anything good in life. This can make them question their self-worth and force them to continue to be in an abusive relationship.
9. They feel pressured to live up to society’s image
In some cultures, women are made to believe that once they are married, they need to carry on the new family’s legacy, come what may. The need to look like the perfect couple can pressure women to live with an abusive partner. They feel that separation will break the societal image they have built. Also, they are afraid of looking like someone who is unable to maintain a relationship while others enjoy marital bliss for years.
10. They feel embarrassed to admit the truth
Some women keep silent through abuse because they feel embarrassed to share the truth with anyone. They fear being judged and even blamed for their partner’s actions. They may also despise the pity that people show when learning the truth. They feel that remaining silent is better than having people giving you unwarranted advice, and so they continue to remain in an abusive relationship.
11. They feel they can save their partner
Some women feel they know and understand the reason behind their partner’s abusive behavior. They carry on, thinking and hoping they will rescue their partner from trouble. She believes that loyalty and love can melt the abuser’s heart and reform as a person.
12. They believe it is common and acceptable
If a woman has grown up seeing men abuse women without consequence, she may believe it is as normal behavior. She might even be in denial and may not accept that the physical or emotional trauma she experiences is abuse. She may even assume abuse as a part of a healthy and normal relationship.
