A guy that drinks and a guy that doesn't drink, were asked what influenced their position with alcohol. 1st guy: My father was a drunkard. I looked at him and knew I didn't want that for me. 2nd guy: My father drinks so I naturally took after him. A polygamous man and a monogamous man were asked why they took that path. Poly: My dad was polygamous. I didn't want that for me. Mono: My dad was polygamous. Do you understand where I am going now? . . . Your parents having a beautiful/toxic relationship does not guarantee you'll have one too. Being loved at home or not, will not determine the fate of your relationship. You'll have to decide for yourself what kind of relationship you want for yourself inspite of the home you grew up in. You can use your environment as a lesson or an example. The choice is yours. You accept the love you think you deserve. This also applies to how you raise kids. You can decide to copy your environment because you like how you were raised or disregard it because you loathe it. It is always a choice. Environment gives exposure but you are solely responsible for your choices.