Watch for the Signs
of an Abusive Relationship

Look around - you will see signs of an abusive relationship way more often than you'd like. They are indeed that prevalent, and they are dangerous for the victims as well as the abusers.

Abusive relationships can develop between spouses, parents and children, or employer and the employee. Abuse can be physical, emotional, verbal or sexual in nature. You need to examine the early signs of an abusive relationship very closely. You should take the necessary steps to prevent any abuse at its earliest stage.

Criticism of the physical appearance of partners is one of the early signs of a developing abusive relationship. In this type of abuse, the abuser begins with seemingly innocent suggestions on how to improve your looks. After sometime, the suggestions progress into manifest demands, and ridicule.

The abuser wants to control different aspects of your life by commenting upon your dress and your attitudes. Slowly but surely, the abuser's behavior humiliates you and makes you feel unworthy.

Criticism against your physical appearance may start with observations such as, you are too bulky, your physical appearance is dull, or you must put on some weight to look attractive. The overall objective of such behavior, and one of the signs of an abusive relationship, is to subjugate the victim and demoralize her.

Understanding the family background of your prospective partner may be helpful in identifying the early signs of an abusive relationship. In some families spousal abuse and abuse by the in-laws passes from generation-to-generation.

Studying the history of a family before entering into marriage can help you to identify any signs of a developing abusive relationship and take corrective measures.

It is also essential to have adequate knowledge about the personal nature and activities of a person before marrying him or her. If you are marrying a person with a history of drug or alcohol abuse, your chances of being abused are quite high.

Many individuals are aggressive by nature. Some persons also behave unpredictably. They may be very soft spoken and caring for you initially. However, there is no guarantee that they will not be aggressive toward you in future. Getting outrageous, shouting with little pretext, and holding grudges for a long time are some of the signs of an aggressive attitude.

Moreover, some individuals have a history of violent behaviors. Symptoms of an aggressive attitude in your partner are one of the early signs of an abusive relationship. Statistical evidence suggests that persons with a history of aggressive behavior are more likely to become abusive toward their partner.