Treating people in disrespectful and controlling ways has become normalized.

People are more likely to copy abusive behavior that gets rewarded.

Silence endorses abuse; action protects those who endure it.

In the 1960s, psychologist Albert Bandura developed social learning theory. His theory explains why children (and adults who sometimes think like children) do things no one ever consciously taught them to do.

Bandura believed that people learn to behave in new ways and develop new attitudes and values not by listening to and reasoning with their teachers, parents, or role models but by observing the behavior of others.

Now, consider: We live in an abusive society, where it’s normal to treat people in disrespectful and controlling ways. Don’t believe me? Tune into the media or politics or watch a movie or TV show. For many of us, we can also take a look at our family life.

For simplicity’s sake, we’ll just be looking at one type........

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