-
I wish I had some encouragement to offer. I am going through a very similar thing, except that my wife tells me she wants to end the marriage because she is not attracted to me. We have been married 18 years. She has known she has not found me attractive for at least 5 years, she tells me. I suspect it is much, much longer. She has said for a long time that she "just has a low sex drive" and I always ask if she had a problem with me. She always said "no, just a low sex drive."
For the past 4 months, she has been sleeping in the guest room. She has no intention of sleeping--just sleeping!--with me ever again. It makes her too uncomfortable.
I was hurt that she did not come to me with the problem. This week she admitted that she does not want there to be a solution to the problem. I was even more hurt that she lied to me for nearly 5 years before telling me the truth about such an important problem.
I am also puzzled. She was attracted to me when first we met, or so she says. I have always been a little surprised that any woman would be attracted to me, but it seemed to be true for my wife at first. I know that when I was young, I seemed to be capable of attracting women who liked tall men--I'm just over 6'1" (and while I have weighed as much as 205, I am currently 185).
In addition, this is going to ruin me. I am 50 next birthday, and have supported here while she got her bachelor's degree, master's degree, and doctorate. Now that she is really earning big, she intends to abandon me. I hardly have any retirement savings. I am financially a dead duck.
If anyone has any advice for me other than "prepare yourself for the worse" I'd love to hear it.
I've tried to be a good husband. Do women not want "good husbands"? My impression is that they don't if they look like me.Last edited by dorandm; 05-07-2011, 02:06 PM.Comment
-
Surely matrimony law will cover you if she is earning more than you.
You can try something- You can start manipulating her Oxytocin levels through touch.
Go to the reuniting (Search on Oxytocin and reuniting) site and find out why she has drifted away- then start to manipulate her.
It will take months but it will be effective.
Start by quick safe touches. Once twice a day building over time to ten a day. BE SUBTLE.Comment
-
Is she is really intent on abandoning you? Or does she just want a sexless marriage? If you two get divorced, you have a right to a portion of her earnings since you paid for her education, the same as she has a right to a portion of your earnings.I wish I had some encouragement to offer. I am going through a very similar thing, except that my wife tells me she wants to end the marriage because she is not attracted to me. We have been married 18 years. She has known she has not found me attractive for at least 5 years, she tells me. I suspect it is much, much longer. She has said for a long time that she "just has a low sex drive" and I always ask if she had a problem with me. She always said "no, just a low sex drive."
For the past 4 months, she has been sleeping in the guest room. She has no intention of sleeping--just sleeping!--with me ever again. It makes her too uncomfortable.
I was hurt that she did not come to me with the problem. This week she admitted that she does not want there to be a solution to the problem. I was even more hurt that she lied to me for nearly 5 years before telling me the truth about such an important problem.
I am also puzzled. She was attracted to me when first we met, or so she says. I have always been a little surprised that any woman would be attracted to me, but it seemed to be true for my wife at first. I know that when I was young, I seemed to be capable of attracting women who liked tall men--I'm just over 6'1" (and while I have weighed as much as 205, I am currently 185).
In addition, this is going to ruin me. I am 50 next birthday, and have supported here while she got her bachelor's degree, master's degree, and doctorate. Now that she is really earning big, she intends to abandon me. I hardly have any retirement savings. I am financially a dead duck.
If anyone has any advice for me other than "prepare yourself for the worse" I'd love to hear it.
I've tried to be a good husband. Do women not want "good husbands"? My impression is that they don't if they look like me.I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.
...
Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?
From a speech by Patrick Henry on March 23, 1775 at St. John's Church, Richmond, VirginiaComment
-
I think top priority should be counseling... at least for your wife for sure. I think depression is playing a big part in her perception of things and her relationship with you. I'm glad to see that regardless of the depression she still recognizes that you are a wonderful husband and father. I think she needs help to work through her depression. It would be wonderful if you could both go to counseling. Hang in there... I hope that things get better for you, I can only imagine how devestating it is to have your partner say something like that to you. Has your wife ever taken meds for her depression?Comment
-
She has been quite emphatic that she does not want to live in a sexless marriage. She wants to move on.
I should mention 2 things quickly: (1) I do not live in the USA. (2) I have spoken to other divorced men, and they tell me that the courts favour women financially--even when there are no kids. (We have no children.)If you two get divorced, you have a right to a portion of her earnings since you paid for her education, the same as she has a right to a portion of your earnings.Comment
-
It could be that she is depressed as a previous poster said, or she could feel newly independent and empowered with wages she now can get with the education you paid for. If she does not want to work on things, it would be best to cut ties sooner than later. That would give you time to gather resources before your inevitable retirement. Use the courts to give you the most favorable outcome. What country are you in? Maybe someone will have better information for there.She has been quite emphatic that she does not want to live in a sexless marriage. She wants to move on.
I should mention 2 things quickly: (1) I do not live in the USA. (2) I have spoken to other divorced men, and they tell me that the courts favour women financially--even when there are no kids. (We have no children.)I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.
...
Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?
From a speech by Patrick Henry on March 23, 1775 at St. John's Church, Richmond, VirginiaComment
Get The Newsletter
Latest Activity
-
A balanced middle ground seems healthiest here. You can set a clear boundary without turning every disagreement into a fight. Calmly explaining how her...
08-15-2026, 07:35 AM By chrishillus -
Well, funny enough, I've talked to a few people about this, and we've all had a laugh that on social media and in certain circles, women are coming clean...
08-12-2026, 09:35 PM By JonnyR -
Reply to PCOS and unwanted hair growth
I had NO idea! But honestly, the new name makes so much more sense. I’ve always associated PCOS primarily with the reproductive side of things, so it’s...
08-11-2026, 12:12 PM By Birdie_567 -
Reply to PCOS and unwanted hair growth
BTW -- did you see that the renamed PCOS to PMOS?
Per online:
"Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has been officially renamed...08-06-2026, 08:04 PM By JonnyR -
To me, there's a big difference between prioritizing your kids' needs and making your kids your entire emotional world. I've definitely seen situations...
08-03-2026, 01:59 PM By Birdie_567
Latest Topics
-
Does anyone have any experience with PCOS and getting rid of unwanted facial hair? What started as one singular strand on my chin in my 20s has turned...
07-27-2026, 07:25 AM By Birdie_567
Comment