During a discussion with a friend, the topic of 'victims' arose. I thought it would be interesting to see a written summary of his thoughts on why many people feel and behave like victims...and why they ought to not feel victimized and how they might overcome their victimized mindsets. While my friend did not agree to provide his views in writing, he [in a very succinct explanation] said people feel victimized because they have not fully grown up...they are still children. 

When he said that, I immediately thought of Berne's Transactional Analysis: people behaving 3 ways – like Children, like Adults and like Parents. 

It seems to me everyone behaves like a Child from time to time. Sometimes, certain situations trigger pre-programmed Childlike behavior. In particular, when dealing with their Parents people can assume Children’s postures and communicate in ways that fit the Child’s role. Sometimes, accumulated stresses and strains cause people to resort to Childlike behavior…I suppose this is an avoidance or escape mechanism. We see Childlike stubbornness in workplaces and, from time to time, we see business people taking Childlike tantrums. Sometimes, for some people, sense of humour kicks in and humour can be quite Childish…I’m thinking of that picture with Albert Einstein sticking his tongue out at the cameraman. 

Yes – likely my friend is right – People behave like victims because they have not fully grown up. Victims, in effect, are grown-ups who hold childlike mindsets. For one reason or another, they have not developed an accurate perception of the ‘human condition’. They hold on to misguided views about ‘fairness’ and ‘locus of control’. They have not developed ‘coping skills’. They don’t understand themselves and so they have limited ability to understand other people.