In September 2026, a thread on the r/AskMen subreddit prompted divorced men to share what their wives stopped doing before their marriages ended. Initiated by a female user, the post quickly garnered significant attention, accumulating over 465 upvotes and 311 comments at the time of publication. The discussion centered on the transition from romantic partnership to a dynamic described by participants as merely being roommates.
One commenter recounted a specific confrontation where they told their ex-wife that the marriage felt like living with a roommate, a statement she received poorly. While acknowledging their own mistakes in the relationship, this user noted that their ex-wife held them entirely responsible for the failure, jokingly comparing it to the fall of Rome. The breakdown included a shift in sleeping arrangements, where the commenter was moved from the bed to a mattress on the floor intended for their child. Their spouse justified this by claiming they came to bed too late while everyone else was already asleep, though the commenter admitted uncertainty about why they tolerated such treatment.
The conversation also explored the complex relationship between sexual intimacy and emotional connection. One participant argued that a lack of sex is often an effect rather than a cause of missing emotional intimacy, criticizing the overuse of the word "safe" as a meaningless buzzword. They posited that women may withhold intimacy until they feel secure outside the bedroom, questioning why a partner should work on another's needs if their own physical, emotional, and mental requirements are not being met.
Conversely, other users emphasized that meeting needs is a two-way street and highlighted the disproportionate risks women face in relationships. One commenter listed pregnancy, the potential for raising children alone, and physical danger as factors giving women more to lose. They argued that a deserving partner would actively work to meet their spouse's needs rather than making empty demands for sex.
Another perspective came from a user who cited their grandparents as an example of long-term marriages lacking physical affection. Noting that both sets of grandparents slept in separate rooms and rarely touched, they suggested that for some, marriage is more about presence and care than lust. They highlighted the value of companionship in old age, such as reminders to take medication or cooking during illness, but stressed that ceasing all kindness remains a critical issue regardless of physical intimacy levels.
The Daily Dot noted that it could not independently verify the personal accounts shared in the thread. The details presented reflect the unconfirmed stories and identities of the commenters on r/AskMen.
Sources: The Daily Dot.