Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Am I over-reacting by being very upset at partner calling me a whore during an argument?

81 replies

namechange76 · 20/09/2010 12:36

Just after your views of this really. Me and my partner were arguing last night about our sex life, which is one of the only things we argue about. To make things worse he had been drinking all day with friends, which he doesn't do often, but I usually find him pretty hard work when he's pissed and I'm sober, and really did not feel like having sex, although he wanted to. I got very wound up by his sulky attitude and emotional blackmail when I turned down his advances, and called him an asshole, and he quickly came back at me by calling me a whore.

It felt like a slap in the face and I sent him to sleep on the sofa. He came back upstairs and was genuinely surprised that I was so insulted and hurt; he said that calling him an asshole was just as bad and that the word whore is just another swearword. It is not just another swearword to me, and has a huge amount of negative connotations, especially when directed by a man to the woman he shares a home and care of a child with.

I couldn't bear the thought of sleeping in the same bed as him, and he would not go back downstairs, so I did. This morning he tried to make up again but I feel disappointed and disgusted in him. I feel it is one of the worse things you can call a woman; I've known some crap men in my life but I have never been called a whore by any of them!

He's otherwise a good man, but I feel that if he cannot see why this would hurt me so much he doesn't know me very well or understand the feminist principles I try to live by. There is a small part of me though that thinks that maybe I'm overreacting - is it that bad? Also, it keeps playing around my head that maybe it is my fault because I called him an asshole, and is calling him this just as out of order?

OP posts:
Malificence · 22/09/2010 15:36

If either one of you has to resort to sleeping on the sofa / elsewhere after an argument, there are more problems in the relationship than name calling.
If me or DH ever had to think about sleeping anywhere other than our own bed, I'd consider our marriage to be in deep trouble.

Sydendad · 26/05/2021 12:52

Just wanted to write something here as this is worrying. Him emotionally blackmailing you for sex which means degrading you to make you feel guilty is not Ok, ever. And crossed the line of domestic abuse. You calling him an asshole for doing so is in my opinion more then justified as he was behaving like an asshole. You however did not behave or do anything to warrant being called a whore and being called derogatory names ( of which asshole is not one , but whore definitely is) is again crossing a line of domestic abuse. So in conclusion to anyone maybe reading this now. You have every right to be very upset and make sure he knows it. Do not accept this kind of behaviour!. And I'm a dad/bloke. And those who try to put any blame on her for arguing with a drunk person should really get their head checked.

Naunet · 26/05/2021 14:56

Of course calling a woman a whore is far, far worse than calling someone an arsehole. It’s a misogynistic term men use to shame women sexually. To those saying they’re both the same, did women’s history completely bypass you?

Shortbreadbrokemytooth · 26/05/2021 16:26

@namechange76 When you get a chance to talk, I think you need to address the fact that he is a nasty drunk. Is he unable to limit himself to a few drinks once he starts drinking? Apologising isn’t enough to resolve this. He needs to change his behaviour around alcohol and these friends to avoid it happening again.

Chamomileteaplease · 26/05/2021 18:43

I am glad he is starting to apologise.

Sorry if I missed it but does anyone else think it's strange that he called the OP a whore when she wouldn't have sex with him. It seems an in congruous insult! You would expect frigid bitch or something equally charming.

excelledyourself · 26/05/2021 18:46

This thread is nearly 11 years old...

How does this happen??

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread