This unconscious craving to control others through their sympathies is really only a way for the mind to reinforce its belief in the “I’m a victim” ego identity. Having other people feel sorry for you is an easy way to wrap them around your little finger. Playing the victim actually gives you a lot of power: power to avoid responsibility, power to feel “righteously” sad and persecuted, power to avoid uncomfortable emotions, and power to manipulate other people.
![willing victim meaning willing victim meaning](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLvUF1i-J70/XhO_R2fAY2I/AAAAAAAAb70/NmC1RBDBNt8hvIPVaXS75860NR0thoKrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Untitled128.png)
![willing victim meaning willing victim meaning](https://i0.wp.com/post.healthline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Friends-talking-on-the-break-from-work-or-study-1296x728-header-1296x728.jpg)
However, although what happens to us as children is completely beyond our control, it is our responsibility as adults to step into our power and reclaim responsibility for our happiness. Self-victimization can also develop through the codependent relationships we had with our parents, or simply by observing and adopting the unhealthy victim mentality exhibited by one or more of our family members. Most victims were victimized in some way as children, whether that was through physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse or psychological abuse.
![willing victim meaning willing victim meaning](https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/t_share/MTgzNjY5NjU2MzcwODgyMjI0/the-bibliophile-10-erotic-romance-novels-worth-reading.jpg)
Instead, the victim mentality is an acquired personality trait, meaning that it is the result of early life conditioning and coping mechanisms. No one is born with a victim mentality, just as no one is born clinically depressed or anxious. Simply put, having a victim mentality means that you blame other people and circumstances for the unhappiness you feel.