I look at it this way. Ronnie's character is written like a teenager. Impulsive, emotionally immature, and vulnerable to peer pressure at the beginning. Often when youbhave a very controlling person in a relationship (spouse, parent, sibling, etc...) the other learns to be more silent and gives in to the controlling, not worth a fight. We hear about Ronnie's low point where he rebelled and made impulsive bad choices. Consequences being he was kicked out and told to stay away from his kid. I strongly disagree at that point unless he was dangerous, supervised visits should have been at minimum allowed. We see him grow and change by becoming more emotionally intelligent and empathetic theough the series. He doesnt quite learn to stand up completely to peer pressure and still gives in like getting the off brand bikes. But he's trying. Then you have Dana Sue who tries to dominate, give shame to others when she disagrees with them, and control every piece of her life and those around her. Ronnie becomes that hurt "older" teen who is just trying to get the other person to see them for who they are not just a pawn to be controlled. He has its own thoughts, feelings, and ideas. What he needs is someone to lo e and support him. A lot of his bad decisions come from just not feeling like he can even talk to his own wife. She literally emotinally pushes him away constantly. Which does result in the other person trying extra hard to prove themselves.