It's probably my fault

Because of Love

My sister's in an emotionally abusive relationship. For years, her family/friends/colleagues, we've all been telling her to end the relationship, but she won't or can't. I think it's because she believes that she can't do any better than him, and now she's almost 30, she's starting to feel the pressure to settle down with someone and have children while she still can. I actually refuse to talk about her relationship any more when my family are discussing it (which is frequently, because her boyfriend is frequently a massive dickhead). It just makes me angry, and I've said all I have to say about it.

For MANY reasons: 1) They grew up in similar home environments and so the situation is normalized. 2) They’ve been gaslit. 3) Financial reasons 4) shame/What will people say? 5) The kids.

they don't see it, love is truly blind sometimes. Some think they deserve it. There a whole bird's nest to unwind there

Because they can't fall out of love with them. There was some magic going in the beginning and now they want it back. Maybe that is one reason.

Fear for what might happen to them or their kids if the leaving backfires... Fear of ending up alone afterwards... Fear of not being good enough bc of low self-esteem. Etc etc

Fear is a big reason - not just fear of the abuser, but fear of change...fear of being alone again. A lot of abuse victims have low self-esteem; maybe they think that no one else would ever love them and all

Because they have no alternative?

In the extremes I'd guess its fear. In the moderate it could be because it destroys a lot of progress (housing situation, social life) and they are scared of being alone. In its lightest its probably because they haven't connected the dots yet or are blinded by something nice about them (perhaps they are a good date or fuck every now and then).

because it is abusive ! some people want to leave but can't for fear of their safety and the safety of any children they may have. sometimes the emotional abuse is so deeply ingrained that the person doesn't think they deserve to leave and find better