Abuse Quote by Lundy Bancroft Bancroft
““The abuser does not believe, however, that his level of authority over the children should be in any way connected to his actual level of effort or sacrifice on their behalf, or to how much knowledge he actually has about who they are or what is going on in their lives. He considers it his right to make the ultimate determination of what is good for them even if he doesn’t attend to their needs or even if he only contributes to those aspects of child care that he enjoys or that make him look like a great dad in public.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft, 2008
Abusers claim authority over children without genuine effort, knowledge, or care, treating it as a right to decide what’s best for them regardless of their actual involvement.
In simple terms: Abusers misuse authority, ignoring real responsibility.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge false authority.
Themes
power
authority
parenting
abuse
responsibility
Mood
frustration
anger
determination
Type
critical
analytical
When to use this quote
- family counseling
- legal proceedings
- parental training
- support groups
Key Concepts
psychology
control
rights
ethical duty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we differentiate genuine care from self‑serving control?
- What safeguards protect children from such misuse of authority?
A Different Perspective
Abusers may manipulate perception, making it hard for victims to see the truth.
