Why did Catherine pelzer abuse her children?

Answer 1

As a child Catherine Roerva Christen Pelzer (Dave's mother) was abused by her parents, with them subjecting her to similar abuse to which she subjected Dave. She was an alcoholic and had Borderline Personality Disorder (mentally ill): http://thequeenandking.blogspot.com/2009/08/did-dave-pelzers-mother-from-child.html

As a Borderline mother, she selected Dave as the 'all-bad' child and he was the target of her rage. As a Borderline mother, she clearly exhibited the qualities of the Borderline Witch (see Christine Ann Lawson's book: Understanding the Borderline Mother) and, as a result, seriously abused him emotionally and physically.

When Dave was placed into foster home, Russell was then selected as the 'all-bad' child and subjected to the horrible abuse.

Answer 2

abuse in any form is a vicous circle. if a person is abused as a child they are more likely to become abusers themselves. however, i feel this is an excuse and should not be acceptable. people should be held responsible for their own actions and not be able to blame someone else. some states disagree but most likely catherine was abused as a child making this a learned action and as always it can be unlearned as well. she did infact beat her children david was the one who mad it out the easiest, in the bok a man named dave,his brother states that it got worse wen he left d.dierker