Why I’m staying in my unhappy relationship
AT some point in time you may have come across couples, whether friends or family, who are obviously miserable. They quarrel every day, they complain to others about each other, and they even have affairs. And yet, if you advise them to end the relationship, they defend their partners and absolutely refuse to budge. What motivates some people to stick with their partners despite an unhappy relationship?
TK:
I am unhappy because she is so loose — all over the place. This might sound cliché, but I stay with her because of my child. Also, she loves money and drama and she would take me to court and cause trouble if I left. I didn’t have a stable home growing up. I moved from relative to relative because my parents weren’t together. My father disowned me and my mother knew nothing about being a mother. Unfortunately, the child’s mother is similar to mine in terms of not wanting to work. I want my child to have both parents around. So her mother and I have an understanding. I give her food, shelter and a stipend, and we have an amicable relationship for the sake of the child. My friends say I’m stupid, but I don’t care. If I leave her, she will cause problems and I might not see my daughter often. I don’t want that.
Lacey:
My boyfriend cheats on me all the time. I knew what I was getting into before we started dating. But there are benefits from this relationship. I’m not giving up my gold mine for now.
Jo-Ann:
I’ve invested too much in him and my marriage. We have a business together and we co-own two properties. I’m not going to let a money-grubbing little girl benefit from my hard work and take away what my child is entitled to. I stay to secure my future and that of my son.
Tricia:
Lately he’s been having hard times and he takes out his anger on me with abusive behaviour. But I love him and I believe that with help he can change, because he wasn’t always like this. I accompany him to his counselling sessions and they seem to be helping him.
Ayanna:
My husband is disrespectful to me. But this man married me and legally adopted my three children. He takes care of them like they are his own. Their father is dead. I’m working, but I don’t earn enough to give my children what I really want to give them. I am worried that if I leave, my husband will stop supporting them. I’m not satisfied with the relationship, but my children come first. That’s why I’m staying.
Jason:
My lady friend is older than I am. I’m uncomfortable with the age difference, and what makes it worse is that she isn’t attractive. I’m the laughing-stock of my friends. But she’s sending me to school and I have two years left. I don’t want to seem ungrateful and I can’t afford to lose the financial help.
