Financial hardship is one of the most common stressors in a marriage — and for one Malaysian housewife, it’s become the very issue pulling her relationship apart.
In a viral post shared on Threads, the woman, a 30-year-old full-time housewife, opened up about her growing frustrations after being forbidden by her husband from returning to work, despite the couple facing financial instability.
I’ve been married for almost three years, with a one-year-old child. I used to work in the corporate sector for four years but quit because I wanted to encourage my husband to start working. I thought it was the right decision at the time,” she wrote.
But what followed caught her completely off guard.
Husband quit job while she was in confinement
The woman said her husband abruptly left his job while she was still in confinement after giving birth — and without consulting her.
When she asked why, his only response was: “I want to work on my own. God will provide.”
Things worsened when she returned to work and sent their child to a babysitter. Her husband insisted that it wasn’t necessary and claimed he could care for the child while working from home.
But just three months in, he admitted he couldn’t cope — and they fell behind on rent.
Feeling torn and pressured, she resigned once again to become a full-time housewife.
Forbidden to work despite financial need
The woman said her situation became more difficult when her husband began actively forbidding her from seeking employment, even after he returned to work himself.
Out of desperation, she began secretly attending job interviews.
When I finally got a job offer and told him, he got angry and said I had disrespected him for going to interviews without his knowledge,” she shared.
According to her, her husband claimed that if she worked, she would be “nusyuz” (disobedient), which would invalidate his obligation to provide for her — a statement that deeply hurt her.
He said I should just stay home and take care of the house and our child. That working is the man’s responsibility.”
“I wash the breast pump myself”
Adding to her frustration was her husband’s refusal to help with household chores, despite promising to share responsibilities before they got married.
The most painful part? I have to wash my own breast pump. I pump three times a day, and he still won’t help. It’s exhausting.”
Despite everything, she says her husband is not a bad man — but believes that with her qualifications, she deserves to be working.
I consider myself a high achiever among my siblings. I got 9As in SPM, and my first job as a fresh grad paid RM4,000 a month. I shouldn’t be wasting that.”
