How It begins

What causes a person to use abusive speech ?

Generally, the use of such speech can be traced back to what one sees and hears.
In many lands sarcasm, insults, and putdowns are considered acceptable and even humorous..

Husbands in particular may be influenced by the media ,
which have portrayed " real " men as domineering and aggressive.

Similarly, many who use denigrating speech were raised in homes where a parent's anger,
resentment, and scorn were spewed out on a regular basis.
Thus, from an early age ,
they recieved the message that this type of behavior is normal.

A child rasied in such an environment may pick up more than a pattern of speech ;
he may also assimilate a distorted view of himself and others.

For example,
if harsh speech is directed at the child, he may grow up feeling worthless , even provoked to being wrathfull.

But what if the child simply overhears his father verbally battering his mother ?