I agree except I think it's both. For people like you and me, it keeps bad elements out of our lives, dragging us down. But some folks grew up in dysfunctional families of one sort or another and are living with the effects of that trauma. For them, it allows them time to heal and learn the life skills they missed the first time around. This philosophy gives them an out from pressuring family members and friends until they can gain the strength to set and enforce boundaries. It's not easy for everyone.

It's just opposite sides of the same thing, looking at it from a different perspective and need.