Wow aint that the truth. There are two men I used to hate. My X man and my X boss. Both I LET treat me like I was "less than".
I think it's more than awareness. Or is it the awareness that we do not deserve the abuse, that we are quite capable with out them in our lives. I was lucky at work in that the boss left and was replaced by someone very nice and who shows me much respect and support. I haven't had such luck in the other department. But despite his claims that I was nothing but a jinx I have done just fine all by myself.