That's why Jon knows it's unhealthy: because Stephen is falling back into the pattern of seeking approval from authority, even the authority that hurts him. (There's an element of abused-boyfriend there, too.) But he doesn't want to challenge Stephen about it when the baby is involved. If Jon can challenge Stephen on other points and eventually break him out of the pattern altogether, Stephen will come to appreciate the "Clooney and Clinton" alternative.
no subject
That's why Jon knows it's unhealthy: because Stephen is falling back into the pattern of seeking approval from authority, even the authority that hurts him. (There's an element of abused-boyfriend there, too.) But he doesn't want to challenge Stephen about it when the baby is involved. If Jon can challenge Stephen on other points and eventually break him out of the pattern altogether, Stephen will come to appreciate the "Clooney and Clinton" alternative.