Aggressiveness and bullying have now become recognized as major relationship issues, but they were often dismissed in the past. Friends and family, listening to a person complain about a partner who bullied them, would simply tell the person they were being too picky. Many times, bullying and aggressive behavior has led to relationship violence. That is one of the reasons professionals and the media have stressed the importance of awareness of this type of behavior in a relationship.

People with self-esteem issues find that aggressive behavior will generally get them what they want, and they become bullies over a period of time. Those who use this method of getting their way in a relationship often believe they are entitled, and their demands escalate and become unreasonable. The person who is being bullied in the relationship is wise to leave if their partner refuses to modify their behavior and become a more reasonable person.