Financial issues can sometimes cause conflict in relationships, particularly when there is a considerable disparity between both spouses’ financial conditions. This is what happened to Darren after he got married. As a young guy from a lower socioeconomic status than his wife’s family, he was confronted with a delicate position that he found humiliating, and his reaction was strong. Darren contacted us for advice.
This is Darren’s letter:
My wife comes from money while I’m a regular employee who lives from paycheck to paycheck, so for our wedding, it was natural that her dad covered everything.
When we got on the plane for our honeymoon, she sat first class, and I realized my ticket was economy. She said, “This sucks baby, but Dad says he’s not your ATM.” Furious, I left her on the plane.
An hour later, her dad called. I was surprised and couldn’t believe it when he said, “I gave you a dream wedding and a dream honeymoon and didn’t ask you for a dime. Is this how you treat my daughter?
He added, “My daughter is used to a certain lifestyle, and I’m going to keep giving her that, but you need to understand that I will not provide for you too!”
His words only made me more furious. I told him that I cannot accept being humiliated just because I am not rich like them and hung up on him.
My wife tried to convince me to go on the honeymoon on the next flight, but when I refused, she decided to come back home so we can talk. Am I wrong to react this way?
