C0l0rado wrote:
This kind of emotional abuse from an adult, in a position of near-absolute power over every aspect of a teenager's life, goes far beyond the example of a mean boss.
Athletes do all kinds of things that are painful and destructive to their bodies because a coach tells them so. A lot of people here have been through that as athletes and learned that there are benefits that can come from sticking to a grinding training schedule -- and maybe that's why there are so many here that want to blame Mary for her statements.
But the situation Mary describes is not the same thing as toughing your way through a hard training block, or being told to lose some weight by a coach. It's different because she was young and willing to do anything to please him and improve. He seems to have taken that trust and systematically abused it in a cruel and callous way.
The "she could have left" argument is technically true, but it's not the reality of the situation when a master manipulator is involved. It's like saying someone with an eating disorder could simply choose to change their diet, or a heroin addict can simply choose to put down the needle. Many people can and do have the capacity to make those choices, but others can't. And when they are in a system that is designed to make money by perpetuating their problems they are truly the victims of a vicious system.
true, thinking back, most of us had issues, which, with the proper mentorship, and equipped with a relatively sound mind, we can adapt properly.
coaches as a rule tend to be manipulators and a bit psycho, which, if done properly, works, but athletes get sick of them once they see their tactics. ..
athletes more than anything can benefit from guidance mentally.
so in this case, Cain is right, they let her down badly.
why ASal choose to bully a kid, and pamper rupp and moe, defies explanation.
sick.