Financial stress is one of the most common challenges in marriage — and for one Malaysian housewife, it’s become the root of her growing frustration.
In a heartfelt post that has since gone viral on Threads, a 30-year-old full-time housewife opened up about her struggle of being barred from returning to work by her husband, even as the family faces mounting financial difficulties.
“I’ve been married for almost three years and have a one-year-old child. I used to work in the corporate sector for four years but quit to encourage my husband to start working. At the time, I thought it was the right decision,” she wrote.
But things took a turn she didn’t expect.
Husband Quit His Job While She Was in Confinement
According to her, her husband unexpectedly resigned from his job while she was still in postnatal confinement — and did so without discussing it with her.
When asked why, he simply said, “I want to work on my own. God will provide.”
Trying to stay afloat, she returned to work and arranged for a babysitter to care for their child. But her husband objected, insisting he could handle childcare while working from home. Within three months, he admitted he couldn’t cope — and they began falling behind on rent.
Feeling the pressure, she resigned once again to become a full-time housewife.
Husband Forbids Her from Working — Even After Returning to Work
Despite returning to employment himself, her husband began forbidding her from seeking work. Out of desperation, she started attending job interviews in secret.
But when she landed a job and told him, he lashed out, accusing her of disrespecting him by attending interviews without his consent.
“He told me that if I worked, I would be ‘nusyuz’ (disobedient), and he wouldn’t be obligated to support me anymore. That really hurt,” she said.
“He told me to just stay home and take care of the house and our child. That working is a man’s responsibility.”
“I Wash the Breast Pump Myself”
She also expressed disappointment over his refusal to help with household chores — despite promising to share responsibilities before they 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,” she shared.
Though she says her husband isn’t a bad person, she feels stifled — especially given her academic and career background.
“I consider myself a high achiever. I got 9As in SPM, and my first job paid RM4,000 a month as a fresh graduate. I shouldn’t be wasting that,” she said.
The post has since sparked widespread discussion online about gender roles, financial independence, and the balance of power in modern relationships.
