Abused husband wonders why he stays in marriage
Dear Amy: Why do we stay with our abusers? I don't know what the statistics are for men that are abused by women, but I am one of them.
My wife was on the receiving end of abuse from her family while growing up. As far as I know it was verbal/emotional, and not physical.
I asked her once if she knew how she could deal with her anger, and she replied, "Get rid of my husband."
I never know what I might do or say to set her off. My answers have been reduced to saying nothing, or just nodding my head.
I figured out a long time ago that I could have said things and treated her like her family did, but that wouldn't have helped our marriage.
I heard Dennis Rainey speak several years ago, and one of the things he mentioned to be a better lover of your wife is, "To love the pain of the past out of her." At some point, doesn't she need to love that pain out of herself?
We went to counseling together a few times early in our marriage, but she recently demanded: "Never take me to a counselor."
I've had a few friends tell me I should go by myself (I have looked into it), but I feel like I'd be leaving her behind.
I'm tired and want to cry.
-- Who Am I?
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