The textbook for one of my classes is set up to represent chapters in various kinds of college-level textbooks, with an emphasis on vocabulary and comprehension.  It’s a really excellent book.  Last week’s reading focused on sociology.  Today’s chapter focused on psychology.

 

The reading was about child abuse, and how difficult it can be to break the cycle of abuse that so often begins at birth. The reading gave examples of women and children showing up time after time, at the same shelter, with the same issues concerning the same man.  They almost always went back to him.  A week later they’d be back, bruised and bleeding.  Again.  Many times, the man killed one or all of them in a fit of temper and lack of impulse control.  (I call this “Big Baby-itis.”)

 

At the end of the class, most of my students were wiping away tears. I hope against hope that any of them who encounter abusive people, or  people with “anger management issues” or small selfish impulsive children masquerading as adults will run, run, run away and never look back.  After the reading today, they all swore they would. 

 

If only all people who are unfortunate enough to encounter an abusive person would leave.  And NEVER go back.  Promises from such people mean nothing.

 

Yes, they wept.  It went well today.  There’s hope.