The roles of the persecutor and the victim

Abstract

The article analyzes the dynamics of persecution, exploring them from both the active (persecutor) and passive (victim) sides, highlighting how the two roles often alternate and contaminate each other. The persecutor-victim relationship, initially observed within the family unit, provides a basis for understanding individual and group dynamics, influencing the development of lifestyle and social roles. Parental figures and the cultural context play a central role, while brothers and sisters contribute to differentiation and adherence to parental models. The article distinguishes between different types of persecutors (smug, unintentional, guilt-ridden) and victims (resigned, hopeful, complacent), emphasizing how the family or social environment can favor the consolidation of these roles or, conversely, offer opportunities for revision and transformation. The relationship between persecution and lifestyle is interpreted as a complex phenomenon with profound psychological and social implications