Classic 105 FM’s morning conversation host, Maina Kageni, is wondering why some women find it hard to respect their husbands during their hard economic moments.
During a recent Morning Conversation, Maina posed a poignant question: “LADIES! WHY DO YOU TALK TO YOUR MEN AS IF HE’S A 4-YEAR-OLD?”
The query sparked a wide-ranging discussion, with men and women calling in to share their experiences amidst challenging economic times, prompting deeper questions about respect, compromise, and the nature of marital vows.
The Host’s Provocation
Maina Kageni initiated the conversation by sharing a message from his inbox, highlighting that many men are undergoing a lot of problems due to the current economy, while their wives don’t understand and want their lifestyle maintained.
“Times are tough. I was informed via my inbox that there are a lot of men undergoing a lot of problems because the economy is tough…but they’ve got women who don’t understand, who want their lifestyle maintained,” Maina Kageni stated.
“And that’s exactly what this guy said. ‘I am talked to like one of my children’. That’s what he said,” Kageni added.
He directly challenged women, asking why they never compromise their lifestyle for men, suggesting they don’t cut down on expenses or make sacrifices like men are expected to.
He further probed, asking what men have done to deserve being spoken to as if they were a child”.
“Let me tell you something, ladies. I know the economy is bad. Please understand him. When do you talk to your man like he’s a 4-year-old? in front of everyone, there’s something you’re not doing. Are you going through that? How do you deal with these kinds of women?” he threw the question out.
Men Speak Out: The Silent Suffering
Several men echoed the sentiment of feeling misunderstood. One caller, John, revealed that when men communicate financial difficulties, women often “treat you as if you still have that money”.
He added, “When men try to open up, women will not understand and may use their words against you, leading men to go silent when facing joblessness.”
Another contributor, James, noted that there are times men “just sit and watch things go either good or bad but remain silent and stoic”.
Dr. Muturi Wilson, via a text message, observed that men are expected to be responsible providers, and wives should support them without complaint, even when the man is down. He questioned if women truly understand unless they are with men solely for money.
Women’s Perspectives: Unwavering Support vs. The Vow
The conversation took an interesting turn with female callers offering contrasting views. A caller firmly stated her commitment to her marriage vows.
“I will respect my man not because he’s responsible or irresponsible, but because he’s a man. He’s the one I said yes to,” she asserted.
She vowed to support her husband “as long as it takes, even if he went broke,” referencing the “for better, for worse” promise.
She further argued that if a man supported his wife when he was doing well, the wife should “step up” when he is not.
She advocated for wives to give their entire salary to their husbands to manage the household, stating: “He’s the man of the house. You should be burning things in the house… That’s the way it should be because he’s the head”.
Another female caller, despite clarifying she was not married, powerfully underscored the idea of marriage as a “lifetime commitment”.
She shared a personal anecdote of calling off a wedding after her fiancé consulted his “baby mama” for their wedding date, seeing it as a critical “red flag” for future interference. This caller affirmed that in marriage, if her husband’s money is not enough, she would do it proudly without telling a soul, even paying for dates.
by moses sagwe
