i agree that most patterns of abuse are repeated in the next generation, but it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. i was actually the third generation in a very abusive family. its not easy to break away from abuse, and not repeat it over again. i was told i was worthless etc, beaten, you name it. once i began to date, i even chose the same kind of man, but like wodin said, sometime in my early twenties, i recognized what i was doing and made a change. i hope you can do the same. you certainly don't want your children to go thru the same suffering you did.
good luck to you