Also, many of them had it done to themselves as kids, and internalized it as “normal.” Truly a vicious cycle.
Yes that is true, many abusers were abused. I’ve always been highly concerned that so many male homosexuals report that they were abused or had sex with older men while children. Not that homosexuals are the only abusers which would be farthest from the case. I do not however think many really think the abuse is normal. A person can not grow up and not know that it isn’t. I do think that the psychology of couping with abuse can sometimes be turned in on itself.
Those who are abused as children grow up with a profound sense of inferiority and powerlessness. Some find positive ways to overcome this and others find comfort and pleasure in the abuse of those who they do not feel powerless against. I think for some their abuse of children is a reflection of their own internalized self hatred that powerless child that they were.