I think my husband has gone off his rocker, or is it a cultural thing?

United States
January 8, 2009 5:00pm CST
I don't even really know what to do anymore. We have been married for 5 years now, with out too many major problems, until now. These past couple of months he has started drinking more, having double standards, cussing in front of the children, yelling a lot, and now he is threatening to hurt people. He was born and raised in Pakistan, but has been in America for about 10 years now. He has always been a drinker, before we were married he said he would drink like 12 beers or more a night. After we met, I don't drink very much (total light weight, 4 drinks and I'm down for the count, lol), and he cut way down to like a 6 pack a week. Now he is getting back up to close to 3 or 4 a day/night. Recently I asked him, in his opinion, in the past year has he spent more alone time with me or the bartender. He openly admitted that it was the bartender. The double standards he has are near unbearable. I am currently a work at home mom, have been for the majority of our marriage. Sense I am also taking care of the kids, house, meals, transportation, shopping and any number of other things, I am constantly busy (over my head really). In September he insisted that I get an outside job. Fine. I did. I worked a customer service job on my feet 10 hours a day 6 days a week. When payday came around (we got paid cash) he would take 95% of the money and only give me the other 5%. At first this was ok, I figured that we were saving up or something. But then the bills didn't get paid. Phones, and internet got cut off. Grocery budget got cut down. Rent check bounced. I checked the mail and his bank had sent a few overdraft notices. I got his statement and saw that he was withdrawing the money via ATM. I asked him what the prob was why things wern't getting paid. He said that he didn't have the money. I confronted him again and asked him what he was spending the money on. He told me on things that he wants, because he wants it. I quit the job after only about 2 months of this. Mostly because when I would ask him for some money (sense he had taken most of the money that I earned) he would tell me no, that I had already spent it. When I would ask him on what it would be all the normal basic things that I have always gotten, even when I wasn't working like sodas, cigarettes, gas in the car (we only have one car), and a portion of the bills (that still were not getting paid on time). In addition to that, I figured that sense I was working, and he was working less (3 hours a day less) that we should be sharing some of the household responsibilities. He did not follow me on this thinking. I was still responsible for all the other stuff I was doing before working outside of the home. As far as his language use in front of the children. I cant stand it. Our youngest speaks English, but understands Urdu fully. Our older child (mine from a previous relationship) wants to learn Urdu badly, and hangs on daddy's every word. He knows these things, but for some reason, feels that it's ok to cuss if hes doing it in another language. I just fear his reaction when our 3 yrs old gets mad and says "m@l@ch*te". I mean, he has always been good with the kids, but now he has no patience for them. Our youngest was crawling all over him while he was on skype with his brother, and she was trying to tell her uncle hi, but she is very shy. Instead of trying to find out what she was wanting, he yelled at her, and then started cussing (in Urdu). Of course she was terrified, as she is daddy's princess, and he doesn't punish her. And this was only the latest instance, there have been several others. Now with the hurting people. Back in Pakistan, ten years ago, (a long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away....) he had loaned large sums of money to several people. If you converted the money, it would be around 20k in total. Now he wants to go back to Pakistan and get his money. I told him, hey they haven't paid you back yet, what makes you think that they are going to now, its been ten years after all. He says that they will or he will put a bullet in their @$$. OMG!!!! This IS NOT THE GUY I MARRIED!!! Yes, that is a large sum of money all told, but really, its been 10 years, not even American credit card companies go after you that long. I told him to let it go, his dad told him to let it go, every one has told him to let it go, but he won't. He seems to think that he can just go over there and bully it out of the people. I really do not understand this behavior. Not to mention, he was telling me about the conversation he has with his brother. Now, I have great respect for anyone who devoutly follows their religion, in a peaceful non-violent way. His little brother (who is all grown up) is a Hafiz. Yet my husband was cheering him on for getting a job in India, and partying, and hooking up with an Egyptian girl for a one-nighter. I would be soooo sad and disappointed if I had any siblings and say ( I was raised episcopalian) they made it to being a Deacon, and then turned around and started doing cocaine. This is how I see this being an equivalent of, yet my husband cheered him on. And again, this is not the man that I married. One last note on the issue. Christmas, I got him a present, he didn't get me anything. The next day I asked him why. He said he would get it the following week. Instead he bought himself and Iphone. I no longer sleep in the same room as him, and haven't for about 6 weeks now. I don't want our marriage to be over, but unless this person that looks like my husband but doesn't act like him leaves or changes, I that separation or divorce is the only option.
10 responses
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
9 Jan 09
I am so sorry for you. To be honest all Asians that I know in my country just cannot hold drink. This is why they are not supposed to drink. IO feel that you are being used and it is quite likely that if her returned to Pakistan then he would not return to you. and this may nbot be a bad thing. You need help and I hope that you receive it from your family. As a caution, if he does return to 'get his money' on no account let him take the CHILDREN! You may not see them again. I am sorry to say this but I know that this to be true and it has happened to so many people. Blessings
@misskit (289)
• United States
9 Jan 09
My honest opinion for you is to just get you and your children out while you still can. Don't take any chances. If he turns violent it will be against you and the children, so please don't wait until this happens to leave, do it now while you can. Something is going on with him that is not good, and it will only get worse. You and the children do not deserve this from him or any one else.
@earthsong (589)
• United States
9 Jan 09
It sounds to me like he has some sort of secret issue. I don't want to stress you out more, but possibly gambling. It would account for his change in personality, him taking up drinking heavier, his issues with money and wanting to go back to Pakistan and collect on owed debts. There's a lot here to really discuss on a forum like this, but it sounds like he needs some help and you both could use some marriage counseling.
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
9 Jan 09
[i]ohhh..this is very hard and sad! But, base on this story, I believed you have done a lot for him as a good wife! We do not know what made him change but if he will always be like that, he is no longer an ideal father for the growing child! It's sad to quit and give up but I will be supporting whatever you want to do! You and your kids need to have a healthy environment and be happy! If divorce is the only option, then do it! Talk to him and tell him what he really wants and what is his plan for your life as a couple and family and what makes him change that way![/i]
@us2owls (1681)
• United States
9 Jan 09
Sounds to me like your marriage is going to hell in a handbasket. I would say get out before he drags you down and hurts you physically. I would recommend getting an attorney and filing for divorce - get help in getting him out of your home and have him put under a restraining order to keep him away. Maybe if he gets divorce papers that might wake him up and you could both get some kind of marriage counselling but without a doubt in my mind you need to stop this man and think of your children and yourself first. God Bless and good luck.
@phoenix25 (1541)
• United States
9 Jan 09
Well, obviously something is going on with your husband. Perhaps he's going through some kind of mid-life crisis. That's the only reason I can think of for the sudden selfishness and disdain for others. Honestly, if you can't get him to change his ways, I would consider leaving. This is no way to raise children. You can't keep taking care of and providing for your kids if he's spending all the bill money on foolishness. You'd be better off being a single mom, as much as I hate to say it. If it comes to that, I hope you have family and friends that can be there for you and help you during the transition.
• India
9 Jan 09
He is living off you…as plain and simple as that. The cultural difference is so huge as it is, it would be difficult to assimilate. There has to be some similarities to make a marriage work… either both spouses have same religion, or similar education, or job and pay packet…I mean here I see everything on unequal terms and you being the beast of the burden. Pls don’t take me otherwise but I don’t think this guy would be an excellent influence on your kids in the long run in a positive way. And returning to Pakistan may be the best option for him, not you. (once in Pakistan, I have grave doubts of his intention of returning) So get on to that divorce before he drags you there with him on religious legal grounds.
• Philippines
9 Jan 09
Its either he is getting an addiction problem or an affair. Most affairs or addiction resulted in money problem. You need professional help, seek one before it destroys your marriage.
@mizcash (685)
• Canada
9 Jan 09
Wow!! my heart goes out to you in such a terrible siuation. Your husband drinking is out of control and it is clouding his mind where he is not understanding facts or not making much sense when it comes to decision making.Speaking in front of the children is disrespectful and shows no concern for the children's moral upbringing, this should definately stop. As for the bills not being paid an d you having no money, let me tell you he is one selfish b*&t%*d and should not have the luxury of a family. It's your decision if you choose to stay with him or not, only you knows what it feels like. Did you find out if he is gambling od having an affair....it's got to be one or the other . Good luck and remember your children's welfare.
• Canada
8 Jan 09
I agree with what everyone here has already posted... I think its time for you to A: suggest couples therapy. I assume he will say no... if so.. then I think its time to re evalutate the relationship. being a single mom sometimes is easier then dealing with a husband that.. You need to think what is best for you and your children. is it ok that he screams and swears around the kids? no. have you discussed it? I assume so and it resulted in nothing. You need to do whats best for you and the kids and from what I read.... if he wont accept therapy.. Im sorry to say but being a single mother would be less stressful for you. I know probably hard to hear this but I think you already are pondering it since a tag line of yours is divorce.