Introducing The Next Generation Of Leaders And Thinkers

Millennials are not Snowflakes for Calling out Abuse

As a disclaimer, I would like to say before this article begins that if you are upset by discussion of abuse or abuse statistics, please do not read this article. I would like for anyone to enjoy the content that I create, but not at the expense of one’s mental or physical health. Read with caution, please.

One of the many things I am passionate about is recognizing abuse. Helping those in abusive situations recognize what is happening is of utmost importance. Over the last few years, I have become increasingly aware of how commonplace abusive relationships can be.

Abuse does not necessarily have to be physical. Mental, emotional and verbal abuse are other forms of abuse which take just as much of a toll on an individual’s wellbeing.

Much to my delight, this generation seems to be much more comfortable with calling out abusive situations and recognizing the signs of abuse. I frequently see social media posts about promoting healthy relationships, which is amazing. However, I also see my fair share of abusive actions being glorified or even made to be a joke.

The other day, while I was mindlessly scrolling through twitter, I found a tweet that I thought was interesting. The tweet basically said this: Millennials are snowflakes and too sensitive, they think everything is abuse. Another twitter user, however, responded saying that millennials are not snowflakes, but that they just do not wish to bring their parents’ abusive nature with them through life.

I am not trying to say that all parents of millennials are abusive, or that all millennials are in abusive relationships.  I am sure there are many wonderful parents who are raising millennials all over the world as well as many millennials who are in healthy relationships. However, some of these abuse statistics are shocking.

While abuse comes in many forms, it all has the same kind of effect on victims. Often times children who are abused isolate themselves from others, this leads to issues later in life concerning friendships and relationships. Adults who have experienced abuse have difficulties forming intimate and trusting relationships with others. Victims of abuse also experience turbulence with mental health.

It is important to understand that calling out abusive situations does not make anyone a snowflake. It does not make anyone dramatic. Calling out abuse de-normalizes abusive behavior and helps victims of abuse find the help and strength they need to escape their abuser.

Signs to look for for anyone who might be questioning if they are in abusive relationships will be listed below.

Physical abuse is characterized by hitting, pushing or restraining from leaving as well as any other kind of violent physical contact. Verbal, emotional and mental abuse are often about power and control. Typically someone who is psychologically abusive will often try to make their counterpart feel worthless or beat down their self-esteem. Typically this is done by constant insults or criticisms which, over time, lead the victim to believe that their abuser is right and causes severely low self-esteem. Psychological abusers will also frequently be overbearing and controlling. Actions like not allowing someone to hang out with their friends, extreme jealousy and invasions of privacy are some examples.

Abuse is nothing to joke about. For parents who joke about spanking their kids or hover over their children incessantly, it is not funny. For anyone out there in a relationship, joking about being overbearing to one’s significant other is not cute or “relationship goals.” Bragging about other types of abuse and thinking it is cute or funny, is not okay. Healthy relationships are significant in an individual’s mental health.

To anyone out there who recognizes abuse, keep doing what you are doing. It is important to the denormalization of abusive relationships.

Click here for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which is open to anyone who may be seeking out help.

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