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How do You Draw the Line Between Enabling and Supporting?

Ron Marr
Ron Marr

The original meanings of words tend to change over time, occasionally taking on the complete opposite of their original intent. If a person in the 1970s had been asked how he drew the line between enabling and supporting, he would have likely reacted with a sense of abject confusion. The two words originally shared a very similar connotation, but the popularity of media psychologists and self-help movements has caused the word “enabling” to be largely viewed in a negative sense. To enable someone, in the negative, would refer to the act of encouraging or failing to prevent a person from behaving in a self-destructive or unhealthy manner. In contrast, the word "support" has retained much of its original meaning, that of helping or encouraging a person to achieve a worthwhile goal.

In truth, one can enable another person in a positive manner. For instance, a parent might loan money to a child, thus enabling him to go to college. The kindness of a friend or role model might enable one to be inspired and help others. These positive enablers would be supporting their child or friend in the act of gaining an education or living a happier life. In such examples there is no line to be drawn between an enabler and a supporter, for they amount to virtually the same thing.

A parent who does her child's homework may be enabling the child to avoid responsibility.
A parent who does her child's homework may be enabling the child to avoid responsibility.

In the lexicon of modern psychology, there is a vast difference between enabling and supporting. If a married individual simply financed his spouse’s drinking, gambling, or drug habit, he could be viewed as an enabler. If he were to suggest that his spouse had a problem, and offer to help or arrange counseling, he would then be providing support. The difference between being an enabler and a supporter is readily apparent in such a situation, but many times a scenario can occur where one’s behavior is not so clear.

Someone who becomes financially responsible for a friend or relative might be enabling the person's reliance.
Someone who becomes financially responsible for a friend or relative might be enabling the person's reliance.

The people, places, actions, or events that are involved frequently define drawing the line between enabling and supporting. Perhaps a person wishes to try and salvage a relationship even though it is by nature abusive. If one were to encourage such a course, knowing that the person in question had a long-term pattern of seeking out abusive partners, he would be enabling a negative behavior. If, on the other hand, one pointed out such a pattern and offered help in resolving it, his actions would be considered support. In a very real sense, drawing the line between enabling and supporting consists of the difference between acknowledging and ignoring the reality of any given situation.

Discussion Comments

anon148764

Go to court and get custody of the kids if your daughter cannot keep them safe at the minimum, perhaps this will wake her up and she will leave him. When you witness or hear him beating her up, call the police! Call a women's shelter or center and they can direct you to resources in your community to help. Good luck.

anon143431

my daughter is married to a drug addict. he is beating her up and stealing money all the time they were living with me and my husband. we made him move out. he was beating her up in our home. they have two children and my daughter keeps going back. i am so scared that he is going to kill her or my grandchildren. what do i do? please help me.

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    • A parent who does her child's homework may be enabling the child to avoid responsibility.
      By: lightwavemedia
      A parent who does her child's homework may be enabling the child to avoid responsibility.
    • Someone who becomes financially responsible for a friend or relative might be enabling the person's reliance.
      By: JackF
      Someone who becomes financially responsible for a friend or relative might be enabling the person's reliance.
    • Addiction can negatively impact relationships with friends and family members.
      By: mrcats
      Addiction can negatively impact relationships with friends and family members.
    • Enabling drug use can be disastrous for addicts.
      By: vetkit
      Enabling drug use can be disastrous for addicts.
    • Friends may have a hard time limiting their efforts to just support rather than becoming an enabler.
      By: atikinka2
      Friends may have a hard time limiting their efforts to just support rather than becoming an enabler.