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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

I feel devasted and betrayed over DH's broken promise

44 replies

Grappling · 17/01/2009 20:43

The background to this is that DH promised me, at the start of our relationship about 9 years ago, that he wouldn't look at porn (again). This was after I found a couple of links accidentally on his computer (they came up when I stared media player or some such). They were from before he met me, but I wasn't sure of that and was upset. The reason I was so upset is that, prior to getting together with DH, I was living with my ex. I discovered that my ex had been calling transvetite porn sex lines obssessively - just after I'd gone to work in the morning, when I was in bed asleep - and also discovered that he'd been looking at transvesite porn on my work lap-top. My ex refused point blank to discuss this, and I was left with a lot of questions and hurt, particuarly as he had impotence problems. There were also other occasions when he lied to me.

Anyway, when I discovered the porn on DH's computer, I was livid. We had an AWFUL, nasty fight that still pains me to think about. We managed to get over it, and have learned to fight constructively and far less. As far as I was concerned, DH was extremely truthful and trustworthy and a man of his word.

Until last Tuesday ...

I am five months pregnant with our second child, and for some reason I became paranoid and suspicious. I went through DH's email. As well as his main email address, he had another one with google mail. I was vaguely aware he had that, but it seemed from his main email address that he was actively using the google mail one too. So I broke into that. And there I discovered that he'd saved, in his draft email file, two (admittedly very tame) video clips of a pair of naked twins. He did this in 2006.

Then I discovered that he'd joined this porn forum that provides links from hackers to porn sites, so that you can view the porn without subscribing to the sites. DH joined in June 2008.

I confronted DH who immediately admitted it. He said that he found the forum because he was looking at stuff about hackers on the internet - he's a software engineer by profession - and there was a link to this forum. He joined to read the stuff about hacking, but admitted that he wasn't naive, he did know it was a porn forum and he was also curious to see the porn. This 'excuse' does ring true, as the forum does have discussions about hacking on it.

He said he looked at the forum less than once a month. That it wasn't about me, that it was just pure selfish, self-gratification and was the lazy option as he could have a quick wank. He said he didn't look at the girls and think they were hot, it was just purely biological. And that he felt terrible for breaking his promise to me, but had just been thinking selfishly and thought I wouldn't find out. He couldn't remember when he'd saved the 2006 clips, and said that they were a one-off that he accidentally came across. He saved them just to see if he could from a technical perspective because he'd accessed them due to a technical fault by google that was common knowledge at the time. He said he hadn't looked at them again (he vaguely remembered them) and that he wasn't looking at any porn until he came across the forum last year.

I asked him if he commented on the forum and he said he had, because that was the rules, you had to thank someone for providing the link. I asked if he'd written comments about the girls as I'd seen such comments written by other people, but he was categoric that he had just written things like 'thanks for the link'.

He offered to go to counselling and to put an internet nanny on his computer that only I would know the password to.

I felt devasted and betrayed as he'd lied to me. And I feel so vulnerable as I'm pregnant. But then it got worse. When he suggested the next day that we change the password of the forum to something we both didn't know (a random set of typed letters) so he couldn't use it (you were unable to delete the account), I said I wanted to search for his posts. He said he didn't want me doing that. But I did. And he didn't just write 'thanks for the link', he made comments like 'gorgeous pussy', 'the German big tit site is amazing', and 'gorgeous Asian sluts'.

I was DEVASTED. The fact that he commented after he said he didn't just seemed like another lie. And the fact that he thought that about the girls he was looking at ... DH said he honestly can't remember typing those comments, that he must have just put the first thing that came into his head, that he is very ashamed and can't believe he wrote that, and that he was just looking at the images as images.

What his comments did reveal is that - and I checked the dates - he was right that he looked at it when I was out. And he only made 7 comments, most of them in July and August. He said he got bored, and indeed there were no comments from his between August and last week.

I feel so terrible that he has lied. I think I could have gotton over the porn if he hadn't written what he did or broken his original promise to me. He is very sorry, and has talked about this every night since Tuesday, but I feel so betrayed. He claims that he never thinks of real women in that way at all, only wants me, and I know he has never cheated. He claims he really desires me, just that sometimes a quick wank was the lazy option and that he felt shy telling me he was feeling frisky sometimes. Which is a shame, as the one thing I wanted more from him was to know that he desired me often. OUr sex life has been good, and fairly regular even though I'm pregnant and we both work hard.

But right now, I don't want him looking at me naked and I don't want him coming to the second scan next week (when we'd find out the baby's sex). I'm ashamed to admit it, but I have wished I wasn't pregnant with his child.

Please help. I haven't told anyone in RL as all my friends know and love my husband and I feel so ashamed.

OP posts:
Grappling · 17/01/2009 20:49

I should add - sorry, this is v long - that DH didn't want me searching the forum for his comments not because of what he'd written, but because he didn't want me seeing what he'd been looking at. He claims that he really can't remember writing the comments, and that he can't remember anything about the images, as he quickly forgot about them, it was just a meaningless quick fix. But it's the comments that have really got to me. I should also add that two of the links were of teenage girls (legal sites, it was all legal and pretty tame), like 'schoolgirl whores'. I hate that he has now got me feeling disgusted about my body, even though he has always claimed to love my body, as I am overweight and pregnant and not a teenager.

OP posts:
prettyfly1 · 17/01/2009 20:51

I am sorry that he lied to you and obviously this is a very strong issue for you. Many many men look at porn - is your issue that you feel it degrades women, or is like cheating or does it make you feel insecure. Not trying to justify what he has done or negate how you feel - just trying to understand before commenting, particularly in light of how awful you feel about it and your advanced pregnancy. I certainly dont think you need to feel ashamed of anything. You didnt look at it.

preggydonuts · 17/01/2009 20:51

I am not being difficult but is it really a big deal if he looks at porn?
I get you were upset about your previous partner but I don't see that looking at porn is that bad. The lying yes is bad.....
I just think if he is a good husband and a nice person then you have no reason to be ashamed........

mamalovesmojitos · 17/01/2009 20:58

i don't mean to belittle your emotions, only to assure you that your dh is not the worst person in the world.

lots of men, actually people look at porn. i have discussed this with exes and other men. they can really seperate sexual pleasure and love. i would feel lacking if a partner of mine was using porn a lot but i wouldn't react as strongly as you have. you seem really devastated. and your dh clearly hasn't used the sites very much, in fact i think not at all for five months?

do you think it is because of how your relationship with your ex was? does that influence any of your views on pornography? i hope you feel better, i've no doubt that your dh finds you very beautiful, pregnant and all.

Portofino · 17/01/2009 20:58

Whilst I do appreciate you had some problems with your ex, and this has made you very sensitive, men DO like porn. The internet has made stuff very accessible. Hell, even i look at stuff from time to time. For most people within a "normal" relationship, it shouldn't be a problem. Can you sit down and discuss this?

lilacclaire · 17/01/2009 21:00

He has lied to you because you have massive issues with porn.

I know your pregnant but he really hasn't done anything wrong in looking at the porn.

Try and seperate what your previous partner did, to what your dh is doing.

brazenhussy · 17/01/2009 21:28

Sorry Grapling, I have to agree with the others - looking at porn is no big deal; every man I have had a relationship with has done it as do I occasionally

While I understand (but not agree) with you being upset that your DH lied to you; I think it's like when you are on a diet and you find chocolate in the cupboard - you just can't resist.

It really has no bearing on how he feels about you and IME men see these woman as pure fantasy characters so do not compare your looks or body to theirs.

prettyfly1 · 17/01/2009 21:32

OP - Is your issue because you feel that he is using porn because you are not enough for him or no longer attractive now you are pregnant. I understand feeling insecure at this time and for some women porn is the ultimate insult, so whilst i dont agree with your reaction i am trying to understand it.

12stepmum · 17/01/2009 21:33

Its the lying that is the hard part and also i get that the comments were extra hurtful.

that said, neither of you can change what has happened, has has posted, said, happened in previous relationships, but what you can both ask yoursleves as individulas and couples is how do you want things to be from here? it sounds like you still have some trauma left over from ex situation and it sounds like you dh really loves you and is very sorry, and by talking about it every night and offering to go to counselling he wants to make things work and put things right. try to keep doors open rather than shutting them. counselling together might be a really good option for understanding and healing.

dittany · 17/01/2009 21:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dittany · 17/01/2009 21:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

brazenhussy · 17/01/2009 21:55

Completely disagree with you dittany, It is pure fantasy for the men watching it.

Men who play World of Warcraft on the PC kill people, use lions and wolves as their weapons against the ememy. they get huge pleasure and relaxation from playing these games for hours on end but they know it is pure fantasy and as removed fron real life as those porn girls.

load · 17/01/2009 21:56

Bottom line, was the porn underage or arrestable in any way?
If it wasn't, then you need to have a good think about whether to continue with your relationship or not.
If on the other hand, it was, well then you will now what to do.

solidgoldsoddingjanuaryagain · 17/01/2009 22:03

I think that, in general, when you make a partner promise never to do something that he or she quite enjoys, which is not illegal or seriously harmful, but which you just don't like, you are setting your relationship up for trouble because you are putting yourself in the role of your partner's boss/parent/owner, and sooner or later the partner will have a brief lapse which he/she will then feel obliged to hide from you, and then when you find out (particularly if you do so by snooping) then the partner will resent you even more.

Not all men use porn, by any means. But many do, and so do many women, without being bad people: most users just want a quick, escapist bit of self-gratification. And most of the people who perform in standard mainstream porn are not exploited victims but consenting adults having fun and earning good money.

Technofairy · 17/01/2009 22:04

I'm with the others as well. My DP looks at porn and it doesn't bother me a bit - and as brazenhussy says, I do sometimes. I know that my DP fancies me and has never strayed. It just fulfils a basic need. Wank fodder if you like and to be crude. It doesn't mean that he desires you any less or desires the women in the pics and videos more. It's just a visual stimulus.

Yes, he has lied to you but did your extreme reaction make it impossible for him to be honest? Forgive me, I could be wrong but to be honest you seem to be a bit out of touch with the way that the majority of men are. Yes, you had problems with your ex and tranny porn is something else but normal straight porn? I don't see the problem. It's normal in my experience for men to look at it.

It's quite a coincidence but this very thing was being discussed when I was at the hairdressers today and all the women involved in the conversation knew exactly where their DPs porn collection was and weren't bothered in the slightest.

A broken promise is one thing but to ask your DH never to look at bog standard straight porn or 'have a quick wank' then to be honest I think you are asking him to promise the impossible. Whilstever he agrees just to keep you happy because you insist on making him promise then you are going to go on being devastated and betrayed.

slayerette · 17/01/2009 22:08

solidgold is quite right. Years and years ago I wanted a boyfriend to give up smoking (I hate it with a passion) - he continued to smoke behind my back of course because he didn't want to give up, he just didn't want me to find out he still was and it led to endless rows and me feeling betrayed.

You can't make him stop, but your reaction can (and will) make him more secretive about it, leading to more rows, feelings of betrayal, etc.

cheerfulvicky · 17/01/2009 22:15

I'm not keen on porn, I should say that first off. As a woman I have watched it in the past, and been mainly unimpressed, sometimes interested. I wouldn't use porn in a relationship unless it was with a partner - to me that would seem like betrayal.

I TOTALLY accept that the vast majority of men will have looked at porn at some point, and that lots (but by no means all) use it regularly, even whilst in a relationship.

However, he knows this is a problem for you. You have your own issues around porn, and there are certain things you find unacceptable. You have set these out to him, and he clearly understood you. Yet he still went and did it again. I can completely understand you're hurt. Posters here will talk about how common porn is now, but that's perhaps not the point is it? It's very hurtful to you when your DP looks at porn and he knows this, promised not to and broke his word.

I would suggest you go for some counselling as a couple, seeing as he has suggested that and is open to it. I think if you have discussed it a lot and are still feeling really hurt, it is either that or wait for time to heal over the incident; not a brilliant plan as there will be hidden hurt and insecurity which could get buried and then fester, causing you both loads of issues later.

Also, if you do begin to feel that you have bothersome issues with porn (due to past experience etc) counselling will be a help to you as well. But I don't think there is anything wrong in finding porn distasteful, or like a betrayal. If that's how you feel you are ALLOWED to feel that way, and your partner should know about it. If you can't agree on it or re-establish trust, maybe it's a dealbreaker? Because it does seem as though it means a lot to you.
Hope you find a way through this. Am very sad for you as I know how much this can hurt

dittany · 17/01/2009 22:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnyFucker · 17/01/2009 22:31

I usually stay off these porn threads as I struggle to summon up any really strong feelings about it.

But what your dh has done does not seem like a deal breaker to me. He has lied because you gave him no choice but to lie.

You had a bad experience with your ex. Transvestite porn is very different (IMO) to what sounds like a bit of straight-forward titillation. The comments he made on the site were a bit {shock} if you say he never acts like that in RL, but really not that bad.

Porn is so accessible these days, any red-blooded male (and female )with a pc must honestly be made of stone to not take a peek every so often.

I am shockd that he would offer to go to counselling for looking at a bit of mainstream porn. I can imagine the counsellor laughing him out of the building, honestly.

You are going to have to find a way round this, between you. But I have to agree with solidgold, if you make him "promise", you are setting both of yourselves up for a fall. He wiil just find another way to do it, you mustn't try to control him.

solidgoldsoddingjanuaryagain · 17/01/2009 22:36

BTW: don't want to hijack or dismiss the difficulties that the OP had with her XP, but 'transvestite porn' is not bad. Being a transvestite is not evil. It may not be to everybody's taste, but transvestites and their admirers - and people with gender issues - are people and many of them are very nice people.

mamalovesmojitos · 17/01/2009 22:40

well said solidgold.

op i hope you're feeling ok. just because some of us don't agree with your point of view on porn doesn't mean that we have no compassion for your upset. i hope things sort themselves out.

AnyFucker · 17/01/2009 22:44

I did not mean to imply that transvestites are "bad".

But you cannot deny that if it was your dh looking at transvestite porn you might be a little concerned.

solidgoldsoddingjanuaryagain · 17/01/2009 22:49

AF: yes, if it came as a total surprise to you. But even then, if your DH was otherwise lovely, you might be able to deal perfectly well with him having a fondness for cross-dressing.

Bertolli · 17/01/2009 22:50

Hi,

I'm so sorry this has made you feel crap.
I disagree with others saying it's fine. Personally i do not think it is fine. It's unedifying. That's why a lot of people feel weirdly guilty after looking at it.

However he does seem really sorry and that he's asking for you to help him, by changing passwords etc. I am guessing he lied to try and make you feel better, but it has had the opposite effect ironically as you then found out he lied about the comments.

My humble advice is to try to forgive him bit by bit and keep communicating.

I have realised that even the most "perfect" people let you down. It's how you deal, innit?

And concentrate on the fact that you have a beautiful baby growing in your belly! Awesome

AnyFucker · 17/01/2009 22:50

I dont think I would solid. Honestly.