In your own wiki link: "The phrase is also used more generally to describe any set of conditions which perpetuate abusive and dysfunctional relationships, such

In your own wiki link: "The phrase is also used more generally to describe any set of conditions which perpetuate abusive and dysfunctional relationships, such as in poor child rearing practices which tend to get passed down." The research I have read, and googled for, seems to dispute your claim. There appears to be a strong correlation between childhood victims of abuse then abusing others: https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/24/science/sad-legacy-of-abuse-the-search-for-remedies.html https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/24/science/sad-legacy-of-abu... as well as being more likely to be involved in abuse and violence (giving and receiving) as adults: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/peoplewhowereabusedaschildrenaremorelikelytobeabusedasanadult/2017-09-27 https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeand...