What is relationship bullying? – This refers to one partner in a relationship who bullies the other. Most bullies feel so weak that they become overpowered with the need to command and dominate to compensate for how vulnerable they feel. This leads to some people choosing their partners very carefully by looking for someone they feel that they can take control over.
Types of Bullies and Typical Behaviors
Many types of bullies exist, however the common ones are the easiest to spot. The Rage Bully is capable of physical damage to their partner their partner’s objects. They yell and hit to overpower their spouses, and they control through fear and intimidation. The Name Calling Bully creates insecurity to control their victim. They look for weakness and seeks to destroy self-confidence by constantly making fun of their partner. The Passive Aggressive Bully keeps a list of their partner’s errors, and lists them whenever their partner confronts them. The most common behaviors include fear and intimidation, controlling people and situations some may decline to provide love, attention, money and sex. Any of these behaviors can ruin a relationship, lower happiness and create an unmanageable home life.
Bullying Affects the Children
Bullying in a family also affects the children. Witnessing a parent who is being victimized is often more emotionally damaging to children than from direct child abuse. Today boys who are bullies are nearly four times as likely as non-bullies to grow up to physically or sexually abuse their female partners, as was found in a study from Harvard School of Public Health researchers. It is urged to discuss bullying with your children and explain to them what to do if they witness it. This is especially true for children who have been subjected to bullying at home.
Protect Yourself
The bully may not acknowledge the behavior or respond the way you hope for, but it is important to set boundaries and to keep them. If the bully knows you are aware of the behavior then you have set boundaries and the bully knows that consequences exist. They may stop or agree to get help. Dominant individuals need to feel in charge of the relationship they will make decisions for you and the family, tell you what to do, and expect you to obey, without question. Your abuser may treat you like a servant, child or even as their possession. This is a sign of relationship bullying and this can lead to child abuse and domestic violence. You should take all instances of bullying seriously. Make sure you have a safe place to go to should the situation worsen or become dangerous. A relationship bully may stop when you confront them but an abusive partner who hasn’t struck you yet is another matter. Look into the cycle of violence and evaluate your situation. If the bullying is escalating and becoming abusive, seek professional help immediately.
Sources:- Our Every Day Life