My partner is obsessed with misogynistic and homophobic topics - it’s impacting on me causing depression

Mum of adult children
Community Member

My husband of 7 years (I’m 61) has become increasingly obsessed with misogynistic, anti feminist, anti climate science, homophobic discussion topics. Not a meal goes by with our family that he doesn’t introduce one of these topics and rant on until people leave the table or it becomes a horrible argument. When I state my point of view, usually defending the alternate view, he yells over me or anyone else at the table. Even when we are not in company, he argues with me, telling me he doesn’t give a shit for my opinion, or telling me I speak too loudly. All devices to stop me from speaking.

He is able to govern his opinions in the workplace usually, or with groups publicly, but he let’s fly with my children, friends and relatives. He’s turned some of my relatives off and my children and their partners seem to prefer being with their other family members. The antipathy people feel towards my husband is isolating me from family and friends as his wife and I think it’s contributing to my depression.

I’ve constantly been working since I was divorced 20 years ago and I’ve supported our family with my income while my husband has struggled with finding regular work. He suffered as a child with being sexually molested and also lack of affection from his mother which I think causes his underlying feelings.

He won’t get psychological help. I’ve suggested it many times and a few times demanded he do so to address his anger issues. I feel like my love for him is being eroded and I am depressed about my future with his resentment of women and how that impacts me, my daughter, my extended family and my friends.

Should I insist he gets help, or ignore his outbursts and do my own thing with others without him, or leave this marriage. I’m feeling so depressed, lonely and anxious.

12 Replies 12

Cee123
Community Member
There seem to be a lot of people lately who are radicalized in their extreme right-wing beliefs. I have two cousins and I feel like I can't even talk to them or associate with them anymore, because they are so into all of this conspiracy stuff. These Q conspiracies. Everyone else is a sheep. They won't even acknowledge things like vaccines or that the coronavirus is real. It's a damn nightmare. They even believe that certain presidents are reptilian. They don't watch regular tv or news, they only read stuff on the internet that they consider "legitimate" information because according to them everyone else is lying or corrupt. Whenever anyone brings up the coronavirus, it ends in a lecture where they just put you to sleep, they don't ever seem to stop talking. You can't engage with people like that. They won't have it that they are wrong. I sometimes wonder if people like this suffer from delusional disorder or a mild form of schizophrenia. Personally, I blame social media for the spread of disinformation and lies.

Dear Mum of adult children~

I guess one of the pitfalls of your situation is you can fall into the trap of feeling more responsible for your husband than is actually warranted. It's all too easy to feel guilt or that you are abandoning someone when in reality you are being pushed away.

Demands for affection simply do not work. Affection is something that has to be mutual, with cherishing on both sides -you know this already, I'm just saying it to remind you it is true. If only one person tries to care and give affection then it withers and there realy is nothing left. Your husband is returning your affection with abuse, mental or verbal, and makes bogus claims about your conduct when you only want the best for him.

This is simply shifting blame from where it belongs to you, a childish and cruel act.

I'm not sure I could take this sort of treatment for any length of time, I think I'd have to be elsewhere.

Croix

Mum of adult children,

People have taken time to have written supportive posts to you.

Croix has some suggestions but ultimately it is your choice and sometimes we decide if the negatives can be endured because of the positives.

I know it is a very difficult situation for you and there is support here whatever you decide.