Defeat
No one approved of our relationship, but I was head over heels for her. She was tattooed, bold, outspoken, and undeniably stunning. Everyone was against the wedding, but I wanted to prove them wrong. We’ve been together for three years, and I don’t even need to say that our marriage is a nightmare. Yet, divorcing would feel like admitting defeat. Like I failed. I guess my pride is stronger than my desire to change.
Just Because
Out of laziness. We argue a lot—well, mostly she argues with me—and it’s exhausting to constantly hear her complaints. But at least she keeps the house in order. She cleans, cooks, and does the laundry, so I don’t have to worry about those things. When I was single, I had to do all that myself, and I hated it.
Compromise
I’m no Brad Pitt. I’ve only had two serious relationships in my life, and she’s the second. We’ve lived together for six years, and honestly, I think we hate each other—but neither of us makes a move. She was never a total bombshell, and since we got together, we’ve both gained some weight. I have no illusions about finding someone else because I know no one would want me. Maybe she feels the same way, which is why she’s still with me.
The Physical
Because no matter how toxic our relationship is, sometimes she lets me have sex with her, and that balances out the fact that I don’t love her anymore.
Family Tradition
My family—using my dad’s words—is a "highly prestigious" intellectual family where no one has ever divorced. Every ancestor married only once, and I’m not about to break that tradition. My dad would disown me, and my mom would die of shame, so I stay a (un)happy married man and endure.
The Kids
Because she’s such a good mom, I can’t bring myself to separate from her for the sake of our children.
No Support
I made a bad choice, but we’ve been together so long that I’m afraid to leave. I don’t even remember what it’s like to be alone—I don’t think I could handle it. We don’t have the kind of emotional support women get from their girlfriends. Our friends are just guys we talk soccer and cars with, or drink together. I couldn’t face the emptiness that would come after a breakup.
What Feels Normal
I grew up thinking this is just how marriage is. My grandfather hated my grandmother, my father hated my mother, my uncle hated his wife. Even Al Bundy from "Married... with Children" hated Peggy, and it’s rare for a wife to stay attractive and want sex after having two kids. So I never saw a man loving his wife, which made it feel natural to hate your spouse. That’s just how it is.
Splitting Assets
Because half my assets would go to her, and I worked too hard to let her take the fruits of my labor.
Forever, Amen
My family is deeply religious, and for us, divorce isn’t an option because "what God has joined together, let no one separate." My wife’s family is Catholic too, but not as strict as mine. Divorcing would bring huge shame to my family. They live in a small village, and I can’t put them through gossip and judgment.
