Feature: Why get tied to a nasty marriage?

Johnson (my neighbour) is a serial drinker. He retreats home in the dead of the night foolishly drunk, yells, screams and beats up his wife and children. A day does not pass without his wife or children receiving either heavy slaps or kicks from him. A recent study in the U.S has found that 40 percent of married couples are unhappy in their marriages; they have separate meals and also sleep in separate rooms. The only thing that binds them is either their children or property. In my culture, divorce (however much justified) is close to a taboo. Culturally, a noble woman is one who sticks to his man in pain, suffering, scarcity and even abuse. The one who tries to stand up against abuse risks being called impatient and scandalous and is branded a social misfit. The reasons given by most women who hang onto abusive marriages, range from financial constraints, children as well as religious and cultural views. And most of them are legitimate. However, it should be understood that one of the chief reasons of marriage is for companionship in order to make life bearable. If this turns out be the reverse then the whole marriage issue becomes meaningless. Marriage is also supposed to be based on intimacy and mutual respect, but if your husband is insensitive to your feelings; embarrasses you by beating or hurling insults at you before your children or in public, then the union no longer holds purpose. Is your husband a serial liar, drinker, wife beater or an infidel? Quit! I do not want to sound like a marriage wrecker, but if logic and rationale is employed, a man who batters, insults or does any of the listed things above to his wife, can only be compared to a monster, so why choose to live the rest of your precious life with a monster? Besides, the person who brought up the idea of women emancipation strongly believed women can live independent lives and also make crucial decisions including jumping out of stale relationships and starting a new life. No woman should needlessly stick to an abusive marriage and lead the rest of her life miserably. After all, there are many men waiting to give you the attention and affection you deserve. ivan.ngoboka5@gmail.com