Playing armchair psychiatrist, my thoughts as to why some people enjoy torturing their Sims is likely cathartic. There's so much in our lives we simply cannot control, so we play this game to have things, our way, if you will. Sometimes, that may include inflicting our Sims with some kind of unthinkable misery. Like a way to get 'even' with your co-worker who managed to stab you in the back by showing you up in front of the boss, and as a result you didn't get that raise you've worked so hard for.
Now, I don't work outside of the home. I'm a writer, with a writer's mind. So, this is merely conjecture. Also based on what some of my Simmer friends said was their reasons for such behavior. :open_mouth: Me? I tend to pamper my little Simmies. As in spoil them rotten. LOL
