By Abigail Van Buren
Mother ‘fears’ daughter’s future with controlling bf
Dear Abby: Is my daughter headed into an abusive, controlling relationship, or am I imagining the signs because of my own experience with domestic abuse for many years? She is 18 and, of course, parents are “idiots” who don’t understand anything. The young man tries to control where she is, won’t let her go anywhere without him, and suspiciously questions her if he thinks she spent too much of her own money.
To me, these are signs of the beginning of years of hell, but to her, they’re cute because he “cares,” or I don’t understand him. Am I being unfair because of my own past?
— Been There in Pennsylvania Unfair? Not at all! You have listed some of the classic signs of an abusive partner, and your daughter is headed for trouble. Please share this column with her because it’s important she recognizes more of them:
Dear Been There:
1. Pushes for quick involvement:
Comes on strong, claiming, “I’ve never felt loved like this by anyone.” An abuser pressures the new partner for an exclusive commitment almost immediately. Abigail Excessively possessive; calls constantly or visits unexpectedly; prevents you from going to work because “you might meet someone”; checks the mileage on your car.
3. Controlling:
If you are late, interrogates you intensively about whom you talked to and where you were; keeps all the money; insists you ask permission to go anywhere or do anything.
Expects you to be the perfect partner and meet his or her every need.
4. Unrealistic expectations:
5. Isolation:
2. Jealous:
Tries to isolate you from family and friends; accuses people who are your supporters of “causing trouble.” The abuser may deprive you of a phone or car, or try to prevent you from holding a job.
6. Blames others for problems or mistakes:
It’s always someone else’s fault if something goes wrong.
7. Makes others responsible for his or her feelings:
The abuser says, “You make me angry” instead of “I am angry,” or says, “You’re hurting me by not doing what I tell you.”
Is easily insulted, claiming hurt feelings when he or she is really mad. Rants about the injustice of things that are just a part of life.
8. Hypersensitivity:
9. Cruelty to animals or children:
Kills or punishes animals brutally. Also may expect children to do things that are far beyond their ability (whips a 3-year-old for wetting a diaper) or may tease them until they cry. Sixty-five percent of abusers who beat their partners will also abuse children.
10. Verbal abuse:
Constantly criticizes or says blatantly cruel things; degrades, curses, calls you ugly names. This may also involve sleep deprivation, waking you with relentless verbal abuse.
Expects you to serve,
11. Rigid gender roles:
obey, remain at home.
12. Sudden mood swings:
sweet to violent in minutes.
Admits to hitting a partner in the past, but says the person “made” him (or her) do it.
13. Past battering:
14. Threats of violence:
Switches from
Says things like, “I’ll break your neck” or “I’ll kill you,” and then dismisses them with, “Everybody talks that way,” or “I didn’t really mean it.”
Anyone at risk should contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or thehotline.org.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.