DEAR ABBY: I'm a college student and still live with my parents. My two older sisters moved out years ago. I never asked them why, but I'm sure it's because our father is emotionally abusive. He talks down to us and makes us feel inadequate.
He has belittled my mother for years, to the point that she doesn't bother arguing with him anymore. She used to play music all the time, but she's now afraid to "bother anybody." I can honestly say I never loved my father, and I wish Mom had divorced him years ago.
The few times I have tried to talk to him, he overreacted and accused me of being a drama queen who blows things out of proportion. He's almost 60 but has the emotional depth of a spoiled, angry 12-year-old. How can I convince Mom that leaving him will do her more good than harm? -- NO LOVE FOR DAD IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR NO LOVE FOR DAD: You can't do that unless you fully understand her reasons for staying with your father. Women stay with abusive men for various reasons. Some of them do it because they are so emotionally beaten down they think they have no other choice. Some stay because they are financially dependent, and others do it because they are afraid of being alone. She may be biding her time until you are out of the house, or she may love your father.