[roseblossom]

Unfortunately, a lot of these 'bad boys' will give false impressions to lure women in. They are emotionally manipulative. Some of the warmest and sweetest men can spontaneously transform into self-indulgent creeps overnight.

This is so true and so sad. There are definitely women who look for the bad guy. I have never understood that. Yet I've been roped in by some real doozies due to them being master manipulators/liars. And, don't forget emotional abuse, it's super easy to say if he hits me I'm leaving. Yet, neither of my worst relationships ever laid a finger on me. The scars they left are plenty deep without physical violence.

Sorry to hear that; I hope you've been able full recover and move on. Luckily, I got out before I got in too deep-- although I have to admit, one of them cost me several years of my self esteem. The last guy, though... I put a stop to that before we even kissed or held hands.

My sister's husband has been physically abusive and yet she's still with him. He's even broken her bones and thrown her. (She hid it from us for a long time...) Thankfully, he hasn't touched her recently. Still, her self esteem has dropped to an all-time low: she's convinced herself she deserves to be treated poorly.

Men and women alike need to confront their demons before being in a relationship. I think there are conditions in which practicing sexual abstinence could be healthy, if only to take the time to examine one's self and one's expectations for a prospective partner. (Unfortunately, this practice is discouraged in our society, where sex has been commodified.)