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Woman Refuses To Live In Husband’s Shadow, Chooses Her Hard-Earned Promotion Over His Tantrum

Woman Refuses To Live In Husband’s Shadow, Chooses Her Hard-Earned Promotion Over His Tantrum

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Everyone aspires to have a supportive spouse who will celebrate their successes with them. Unfortunately, some people end up with insecure partners who would, instead, pull them down.

A woman had made the necessary sacrifices to get her long-awaited job promotion, but instead of being proud, her husband manipulated her into thinking she was putting her profession over their marriage. 

The author began realizing her husband’s twisted idea of having a wife, but she nonetheless wonders if she was wrong about taking the job. 

RELATED:

    Some people end up with spouses who would pull them down during moments of success

    Image credits: Iakobchuk / Envato (not the actual photo)

    A woman couldn’t celebrate her promotion because her husband guilt-tripped her for taking a “bigger job”

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    Image credits: zoranzeremski / Envato (not the actual photo)

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    The author endured more manipulation, making her wonder if she was wrong about choosing her career despite her husband’s wishes

    Image credits: AerisDewlyn

    Men tend to feel threatened by their female partner’s successes

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    Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The author’s husband may be part of the statistic of men who are insecure about their partner’s successes. A study published by the American Psychological Association involved an experiment where 32 couples underwent a problem-solving and social intelligence test. 

    Findings revealed that men who believed their partners scored in the top 12 percent exhibited lower self-esteem. According to the study’s lead author, Dr. Kate Ratliff, it could be a way of projecting their insecurities. 

    “This research found evidence that men automatically interpret a partner’s success as their own failure, even when they’re not in direct competition,” Dr. Ratliff explained. 

    Experts like psychologist Dr. Douglas LaBier explain why, connecting such behavior to outdated beliefs about traditional positions of power in society, including romantic relationships. 

    In an article for Psychology Today, Dr. LaBier explained that some men may feel “terrified” about losing that power, which they often equated with “manhood” and having a successful life. 

    It is necessary to deal with a spouse’s manipulation tactics

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    Image credits: katemangostar / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    In the story, the husband used a manipulative approach to communicate his message, something licensed psychotherapist Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS, deems as narcissistic tendencies. 

    In an article for Choosing Therapy, Gillis’s top advice when dealing with manipulation is to set healthy boundaries by limiting interactions. Picking your battles also helps, wherein more pressing matters should be the priority. 

    However, when worse comes to worst, Gillis urges cutting ties or seeking professional help. Choosing the former is a must when dealing with a spouse who could put you in potential danger. 

    Regarding professional help, Gillis advises against couples or family therapy because a narcissist may weaponize the information gathered during the sessions. Instead, she recommends emotionally-focused therapy, which delves deeper into relationships between feelings and emotions. 

    Attachment-based therapy is another option, as it explores anxiety triggers and avoidance reactions. It dives into the root of the problem and provides potential solutions. 

    The author is in a tough spot. It would be foolish to throw away her marriage because of a job, but it also won’t be fair for her to endure her husband’s lack of support and manipulation

    The couple may benefit from seeking professional help. This should help them decide on the next best move. 

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    Most people sided with the woman

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    However, a few readers criticized her for being “married” to her job

    Ic_polls

    Poll Question

    How do you feel about the husband's reaction to his wife's promotion?

    It's selfish and unsupportive

    He has a valid point about family priorities

    It's understandable but needs better communication

    He is being manipulative

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    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

    Read less »
    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

    Read less »

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

    What do you think ?
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    POST
    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    17 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "And if *you* really loved me, you'd support my decision."

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    Hidalgo
    Community Member
    16 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    First stop counseling, 2nd stop attorney, third stop joint counseling to make path to divorce easier, and then divorce. No way this can be reconciled. Hubby is a dickweed.

    Load More Comments
    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    17 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "And if *you* really loved me, you'd support my decision."

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Hidalgo
    Community Member
    16 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    First stop counseling, 2nd stop attorney, third stop joint counseling to make path to divorce easier, and then divorce. No way this can be reconciled. Hubby is a dickweed.

    Load More Comments
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