Sometimes I wonder if people have been hurt so bad emotionally that they feel they need to project a lack of empathy as a way of showing others they are strong.

Sometimes I wonder if people have been hurt so bad emotionally that they feel they need to project a lack of empathy as a way of showing others they are strong. That they are not a target. It's subconscious, probably. Thank you for patiently trying to get them to see your side of things.