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Parents abuse children for many reasons. Whether it is cyclical, alcohol problems, or anger management issues. I came from a family where both of my parents abused me. I was fortunate to be rescued and put up for adoption. For a long time not a day went by where I didn't think about why my parents abused me. I used to blame myself for the unending and relentless abuse. I realized as I got older that it wasn't my fault. I was a victim of a never ending cycle of abuse. As I got older I learned that both of my biological parents had been abused themselves growing up. They were allowing history to repeat itself through them.

I've always wondered why my parents would abuse me being abused themselves. Why didn't they fight against that urge to hurt an innocent child. I oftened wondered why they would hurt a child after being hurt themselves. I believe that some people have the will power to fight against their past. The old saying "If you don't learn from the past, you are doomed to repeat it," comes to mind. While I understand why my parents abused me, I've always been angry because they didn't make the decision to do better for their children.

The other question that goes along with "Why did my parents abuse me," was why does God allow children to be abused? I came across the answer to this question many years ago. I was reading the Footprints Poem. "During the time you could not see two sets of footprints, I was carrying you." I don't believe that God allows us to be abused, but he is always there to rescue us. I have always believed that God rescued me so that he could use me to help other abuse victims. Don't get me wrong, I was mad at God because I didn't understand why this was allowed but HE was there to pick me up. In being rescued, God has open many opportunities for me to talk to other abuse victims. I've encouraged them to fight and forgive their abused. I learned that I could forgive my parents without condoning what they did. I can hope that they don't abuse anyone else and I moved on with my life.

This answer is going to be different for everyone. I now have a child of my own and would never hurt her or abuse her in any way. I'm fighting against my past to make a better future. I want my children to know love and compassion, not anger and abuse. I'm choosing to break that cycle and not be like my biological parents. I'm choosing to do do right by my children. I hope they never have to experience or witness abuse in their life time.

Learn more about this author, Lori Salsgiver.
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