Shadow Locking
This is an example of something I call “Shadow Locking”. Shadow Locking is when we attract to someone who represents something we lack. In turn, we represent their opposite, which they lack.
For example: If I don’t have a voice to stand up for myself, I will find someone who dominates. In me, they will find someone who always concedes, which is something they rarely do.
Or to the posts example, if I don’t learn how to parent myself, I will find someone who parents me and they will seek out someone they get to parent.
Until we are able to identify our patterns and practice being what we lack, we will always need someone around to act out our shadow.