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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

thought porn problem was history & he proposed - now feel stuck

32 replies

MadameLeBean · 10/10/2015 15:54

My partner and I have been together five years. Long story short a year ago I found out about his unhealthy habit (at the start of our relationship I was quite "open minded" about porn - until it started to affect our relationship) and all of the lying (well most of it). We stayed together I forgave him & he promised it was no longer an issue, had a brief stint of therapy. It turns out I had no idea how bad it was even "when it all came out". Worst thing is that our relationship has been mostly fantastic since then & he proposed to me. I was over the moon & not 5wks later I discovered him wanking at the computer, he says he was able to separate it so completely from our relationship but I don't know if I can even accept that. He knew it was not okay, he knew he had issues that he had not been completely honest with me about and he failed to come and speak to me when they returned. I thought we were so close and could share everything - even difficult things. Now all our family and friends are expecting a wedding date to be set in the next couple of weeks (we were days away from booking the venue when I found out). My engagement ring looks meaningless to me, before it was the most precious thing and made me so happy. He lied to me about other stuff as well, little things but just so that he would not have to face any criticism or conflict of interest - he wanted to do what he wanted in spite of our relationship, despite me being open and generous to him having his own time and own interests. I'm so confused and hurt, he was my best friend. He is now in therapy in earnest - he knows it requires deep psychological change. I know I cannot change him but I believe it's possible for people to change themselves. He's always hidden problems from himself and others as a way of coping, avoiding intimacy & keeping part of himself separate in order to not feel vulnerable. Do I just cut my losses and leave? I hate that he has made this decision so much more binary by us getting engaged.

OP posts:
Jan45 · 12/10/2015 18:25

Don't sell yourself short, this man is not worthy of you, he lies, he is sneaky, he clearly has a porn habit and clearly has issues around intimacy - don't you think you can do better, I do.

SlaggyIsland · 12/10/2015 18:29

I must also disagree with the assertion that all men use porn. Of the four men I have lived with, only one was a habitual user. He was also the one who was abusive and pushed sexual boundaries.
There have been a number of studies suggesting that it damages men's sexuality and intimate relationships and has a numbing effect on the pleasure centers of the brain.
You are perfectly within your rights to prefer to have a relationship with someone that doesn't use pornography.

Jan45 · 12/10/2015 18:35

Yip, not all men use porn regularly, they might look now and again but what you are describing is an issue, a real issue - I'd also say habitual users are usually sneaky and untrustworthy men that are usually doing a lot more online than what you actually uncover.

NameChange30 · 12/10/2015 18:40

I'm glad you've put the wedding plans on hold indefinitely - absolutely the right decision. It probably doesn't feel like it now, it's lucky you found out before you booked the wedding venue. One less thing to worry about.

I think you should end the relationship because you've already given him a chance and tried counselling, and that hasn't worked. Now you need to be clear about your boundaries and end it. Otherwise he'll think he can get away with it and and he'll never change.

To me the porn is something you might be able to overcome (provided he could be honest about his porn use and limit/manage it so it doesn't get out of control or negatively affect the relationship) but the other issues are complete deal breakers: lying and avoiding intimacy.

If you own a house together it might be worth getting 30 minutes free advice from a solicitor to see what your options are. Even if you don't break up yet, at least you'll know what it entails.

NameChange30 · 12/10/2015 18:42

Missed a word! Should have typed "It probably doesn't feel like it now, but it's lucky you found out" etc.

NewLife4Me · 12/10/2015 18:53

I really don't believe the porn is your main issue OP even though I know i's caused problems in your relationship.
Do you think that therapy will change his lying behaviour and make him see things the same way as you?

Iflyaway · 12/10/2015 19:11

Not only because he cannnot be honest with you in a relationship (lying), I certainly would NEVER want to wanna be with or marry a guy who likes to get his dick out watching porn in the house! with a 9-year-old daughter there.

What if she were to walk in on him? Shock. She'll be going into puberty very soon and that would make me very uncomfortable because his boundaries are skewed. What about when she and her teenage friends want to come home and hang out. They need to feel safe!

I'm a LP because DC's safe childhood were more important to me than some prat who managed to turn my eye heart and body.

Wishing you all wisdom for the best for you and your DD.

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