I’ve been here a very long time, and by now have read hundreds, probably thousands, of your posts. FWIW, the humor there was lost on me, and I wouldn’t have caught that you were at least at least partially trying to be funny if you hadn’t mentioned “tongue in cheek”. Your value might not have been delivered to the ones that might have needed it. Take what you want from that.
Not directed at you —
I think I figured out part of what troubles me about this thread. IIRC, The question was about why men would ever stay in a sexless marriage for month or years. Some here are answering based on years of self reflection having lived that experience. In response, those who haven’t walked a tenth of a mile in those shoes and proudly claim they never would be so weak to attempt to do so, in response say effectively “that’s not a good reason” or “no that couldn’t be it”…. “That’d be insane.” For the record, I haven’t heard many claiming the reasons were good; maybe some claiming they seemed good at the time or for a time, or seemed like they had potential to work out.
Hence my point about this being for the spectators, who don’t seem to care to listen.
The other concern is there is a lot of talk here about MGTOW. What that has to do with reasons one stayed in a marriage I have no idea.
I have always been convinced there are good women out there, and that my wife is very good in many ways. Where our relationship has fallen short, by her or my actions, my belief has been the potential for redemption has always been there. In the wrong hands, such optimism can lead one to tolerate too much, some beyond the pale. It takes a sophisticated awareness to navigate that in a more optimal way, and that awareness takes time to acquire. I respect those giving it their best shot.
