The claim that "mutual psychopathology in relationships leads to escalating violence for emotional gratification" oversimplifies complex dynamics. While power imbalances and shared harmful traits can exacerbate abuse, labeling it "mutual" risks erasing asymmetries of control—many so-called "codependent" pairs involve one party exploiting the other’s vulnerabilities. Violence often stems from desperation, not thrill-seeking; isolating individuals in "negative cognitive maps" (as cited) may foster resentment, but it’s unclear if this directly translates to calculated escalation. Solutions like therapy or education are undermined by systemic failures: poverty, lack of safe housing, and cultural normalization of control. It’s already too late for systemic change—structures enabling abuse are too entrenched. Victims are trapped in cycles where "approval" is a lie, and "emotional gratification" is a euphemism for trauma. This won’t change anything.

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