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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Sexual Stuff

197 replies

mightbealittlebitmad · 26/10/2020 08:12

I've been in a relationship/married for a very long time and throughout have always refused to do certain sex things because we've tried them and I really don't enjoy doing them. He's really unhappy at the minute because I won't do them and says it's making his life miserable and I should want to do things to make him happy. I feel a bit uncomfortable with that kind of attitude but maybe I'm wrong because sometimes in life we do things for other people (watch a film you might not be keen on, visit friends or family when you would prefer to stay at home)

Should I just put up and shut up once in a while or is it ok for me to refuse to do certain things? My drive at the moment is through the floor which isn't helping and I have been having sex even when I don't want to just to keep the peace.

I'm in a really unhappy place at the moment and really not sure how I feel about everything so that's potentially clouding my view.

Help.

OP posts:
Mischance · 26/10/2020 10:18

The once a year thing that you have quoted is absolutely out of order. He is saying that he will be content with you doing something he knows you dislike if you agree to do it only annually. Just how wrong is that. He should not be taking pleasure in you doing something he knows you do not like AT ALL.

Sexual relationships in normal couples are about sharing pleasure and enjoying making the other person happy.

I absolutely agree with those who say he has been watching porn - and also googling what he thinks you should like doing in order to coerce you into doing it!

It does not matter at all what the activity that you dislike is - everyone has their own red lines and tastes. It is very difficult when one partner starts to watch porn and a previously stable and happy sexual relationship gets out of kilter because of changed expectations on one side. There is of course no reason why a sexual relationship should not develop over time and change, but the bottom line is that neither partner should be doing something they do not want to do.

I know of what I speak. I had the same with my OH, and it damaged a previously happy and satisfying relationship. He started to try and get me to do things that I really did not want to do; to be fair he did not do things if I asked him not to; there was no physical coercion. But it left me feeling inadequate and unacceptable; and it made every sexual encounter a minor battle ground, instead of the happy moment that it had always been for many years. And this never changed until the day he died. And now that he is gone I have to come to terms with it all, constantly reminding myself that I was not at fault. When someone dies, you do labour over the things that you might have done better or feelings of guilt for things not said or done; but I know that his dissatisfaction with me as a sexual partner was created from the artificial world of porn, and that I was in no way at fault.

I stayed with him - he had so much that was positive for all of us, and my children loved him and had a stable upbringing - but the pain of the destruction wrought by the porn he watched endured throughout our marriage and has stayed with me even after his death.

I am so sorry that you are facing these challenges as I know how unhappy it can make you. You do need to be clear in your own mind that it is OK to make choices; that you are in no way inadequate or lacking in some way; that you are important in this world.

Only you can decide what to do next - but never lose faith in yourself and your rights as a human being. I wish you every good luck in sorting this out.

This is why I get slightly irritated by threads that say that porn is OK - it is not.

Malahaha · 26/10/2020 10:21

"Everybody is doing it": the biggest con in the world.
It's a big fat NO, and it's final.

Whatisthisfuckery · 26/10/2020 10:26

A partner who wants to do sexual things to your body that you won’t enjoy or that hurt, make you feel uncomfortable or that you don’t want to do, is an abusive partner.

A partner who wants to do things to you that you don’t want to do, won’t enjoy and willl make you uncomfortable does not care about your enjoyment.

I think you might point out to your husband how unreasonable he is being if he thinks coercing you into doing sexual acts that you don’t like or want to do will save your relationship. Then I think you should consult a solicitor, pack your bags, or his, and LTB.

IJustWantSomeBees · 26/10/2020 10:29

Oh OP please don't think you're being selfish because he wants to do something sexual to you against your will. The hypocrisy is wasted on him. This is emotional abuse and honsetly it has really creeped me out hearing the way your H is treating you

JenniferSantoro · 26/10/2020 10:36

Watching a film you’re not keen on, to be nice to your partner is absolutely nothing like doing some sexual activity that you don’t want to do, just to keep your partner happy.

He’s using emotional blackmail, not to mention coercion. Any decent bloke wouldn’t even mention a particular act again, if you said you don’t want to do it, or don’t enjoy it.

This would be relationship ending for me. He has no respect for you or your boundaries. Also, it doesn’t matter whether the act is absolutely wild, or very tame. What matters is you don’t want to do it.

Wyntersdiary · 26/10/2020 10:37

I would leave, life is too short, if he wants that stuff then he needs to find someone also into that stuff.

No one has to do anything they dont want to do, its your body ... and if he cant see that then he needs to leave rather than manipulate you into thinking its your fault.

Devilesko · 26/10/2020 10:48

He really doesn't care about your feelings.
I wouldn't be surprised if he's the reason you are like you are and if you look you'll find he's always been selfish.
Leave the man and get your life back, how you want it, on your terms.

flaviaritt · 26/10/2020 10:49

Personally, I would communicate to him that it’s the relationship on the line, not his annual right to ejaculate in your mouth. Arsehole.

FizzyGreenWater · 26/10/2020 10:51

My feelings have totally changed and I've tried to explain but I feel like I'm being selfish tearing out family apart when he hasn't actually done anything wrong.

He's done a huge amount wrong and that's precisely why you've gone right off him and no longer want to be in a relationship with a sexually creepy manipulator.

jessstan1 · 26/10/2020 10:54

Do not do anything you don't want to do, the very idea of someone being coerced into a sexual practice they find unpleasant is horrible. How could your partner really enjoy it knowing you didn't.

You don't exist just to service him; he probably gets idea from pornography.

Don't stay any longer with someone who lacks self control.

FippertyGibbett · 26/10/2020 10:56

What would you say to your daughter if she came to you with this ?
The answer is obvious- end it.
You should never be coerced or blackmailed into doing something you don’t want to.
It’s time to take control of your life.

mightbealittlebitmad · 26/10/2020 11:00

@FizzyGreenWater

My feelings have totally changed and I've tried to explain but I feel like I'm being selfish tearing out family apart when he hasn't actually done anything wrong.

He's done a huge amount wrong and that's precisely why you've gone right off him and no longer want to be in a relationship with a sexually creepy manipulator.

No they changed before he even mentioned this. My feelings have been like this for months, certainly since the beginning of the year, I think it just took lockdown to really make them clear. His weird insistence on this has just appeared practically overnight, it's bizarre.
OP posts:
contactusdeletus · 26/10/2020 11:01

You have my sympathies, OP. It sounds like your husband is a whiny pornsick manchild, to be frank, but that's not the main issue here.

The main issue is that you don't want to be in this relationship anymore. You feel trapped in it.

Is there anyone you can talk to to help you with the logistics of setting up your own life? It might seem impossible and overwhelming now because you're looking at the big picture, but if you were to take it step by step, with a bit of help from someone who cares, you might find the whole thing becomes more manageable.

Have a look at Relate, the Citizen's Advice website, and the Money Advice Service, to get an idea where to start. Make an appointment if you can. There's no need to rush into anything but you may find even talking your options over with another person lifts some of the mental load.

Best of luck Flowers

diamondpony80 · 26/10/2020 11:01

I think that a lot of men think that because women in porn seem to "enjoy" doing it, that we all do. I've had to explain to my own husband that they're acting and more than likely hate it but just do it for the money. Women definitely don't all do it, and plenty don't enjoy it. DH should respect your boundaries and not try to emotionally blackmail you into doing something you don't want to do.

FippertyGibbett · 26/10/2020 11:02

You need to speak to a family solicitor, you often get the first 30 mins free.
Are you mortgage or rent, if mortgage are you on the deeds.
Get screen shots of all bank accounts, including any of his if you can 😉
And do either of you have a private pension.
Then get your questions ready to make the most of the solicitor appointment.

mightbealittlebitmad · 26/10/2020 11:11

@FippertyGibbett

You need to speak to a family solicitor, you often get the first 30 mins free. Are you mortgage or rent, if mortgage are you on the deeds. Get screen shots of all bank accounts, including any of his if you can 😉 And do either of you have a private pension. Then get your questions ready to make the most of the solicitor appointment.
We have a mortgage, both in our names. Joint bank account and savings but not a lot in the savings. He has a private pension. He earns a lot more than me, I work part time hours around him and have done since we have had the kids. Previously I worked full time but always earned a lot less.

I don't want anything other than what is mine and money for the kids. I have no idea how I'll be able to fund setting up a new house but my friend said there is so much stuff going for nothing that it might not be as bad as I think.

Really as long as we have the basics everything else can come later.

OP posts:
newnameforthis123 · 26/10/2020 11:11

@picklemewalnuts

Ask him if he'd enjoy having that kind of sex with someone if he knew they weren't into it. Make him think about his answer. That it's ok to use someone else's body to get what you want.
This.

He's vile and abusive.

Please know this isn't a healthy relationship and plan your exit.

contactusdeletus · 26/10/2020 11:11

Your husband's overnight insistence that you not performing certain sex acts causes him "misery" probably does correspond to a recent uptick in porn use, I'm afraid. He keeps watching this, reinforcing his enjoyment of it through orgasm, and stoking his own resentment that you won't do it. Even if you did agree to the "once a year on birthdays" rule, you would quickly find him working to erode that boundary too. He wants what he wants, regardless of how you feel about it.

That's not love or respect. You deserve better.

thinkingaboutLangCleg · 26/10/2020 11:11

OP, you’re not BU., your husband is. I would lose interest in a man who wanted to do those things. Some women are happy to, some don’t mind, but many dislike them. Neither of those are part of everyone’s sex life. Anal intercourse I think used to be illegal — it can easily hurt or even injure you.

MustardMitt · 26/10/2020 11:18

What a pathetic man that it’s apparently ‘ruining his life’ Hmm he needs to get off the Internet. And maybe have some counselling. Maybe you could suggest that to him?

mightbealittlebitmad · 26/10/2020 11:29

So I've told him how I feel and he's still kicking off about it. Basically things aren't exciting enough for him.

OP posts:
newnameforthis123 · 26/10/2020 11:33

@mightbealittlebitmad

So I've told him how I feel and he's still kicking off about it. Basically things aren't exciting enough for him.
And yet he thinks being bullied into anal sex that you find painful and upsetting is 'exciting' for you? No? Thought not.

Does he genuinely want to have sex that you don't want and find painful? If you ask him that and he still wants to, he's a sexual abuser. In fact regardless of his answer he's a sexual abuser. Coercion is abuse.

Please consider leaving him - being on benefits while you figure out your work is preferable to living with someone who literally wants to hurt you for their own pleasure.

Happyheartlovelife · 26/10/2020 11:38

Oh my gosh

That was hard to read

My husband doesn't get as much sex as he'd like. With chronic illness etc. I just can't

However I feel quite a bit of guilt about it. He ALWAYS says to me he's rather I didn't do it because he wouldn't enjoy it knowing that I did when I didn't want too. That he'd rather I wanted too and enjoyed it.

I love him for his attitude.

So in response. Does he really want to do something that you wouldn't enjoy? Would he really want to have sex with someone who was hating every min? Because if he does. That's not right my lovely. That's not ok.

Please think about it in other ways. Would you want to have him do something he hates. When you're doing it would you enjoy it knowing he was hating it?

If you ever want to chat. Please pm me. Please xxx

HermioneWeasley · 26/10/2020 11:41

It is weird to want to have sex with someone who is hating it. He’s repulsive.

Leave him.

FleetsumNLangCleg · 26/10/2020 11:41

Very very sad that this is where we are, in 2020. A woman is coerced into sex acts that are "fine!! I see it lots on Google!!" Fuck that. It really does not matter that it is your husband/partner. Your body is yours.

YOU choose the sex acts you are happy with. You can't force these acts on other people, they cannot force them on you.

And NO is a complete sentence.