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Woman Refuses To Pay For Stepson’s Surgery After Husband Tells Her That She Can’t Buy His Love
Couple having a tense conversation on a couch about paying for stepsonu2019s surgery, showing emotional disagreement.
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Woman Refuses To Pay For Stepson’s Surgery After Husband Tells Her That She Can’t Buy His Love

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Abusive and disrespectful spouses, unfortunately, exist. They are often mean-spirited towards the person they supposedly love and vowed to cherish for the rest of their lives, and seem to see no wrong with what they’re doing. 

This woman endured abuse not only from her husband but also from her teenage stepson. Even after offering financial help when the family was in dire need, her intentions were put into question.

Things only worsened for her after she refused her husband’s request for monetary assistance, as she was made to come off as the villain.

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    A woman had been dealing with disrespect from both her husband and stepson

    Couple having a tense conversation at home about paying for stepson’s surgery, showing frustration and disagreement.

    Image credits: prostock-studio (not the actual image)

    She was insulted even after offering financial support 

    Text excerpt discussing a woman’s response to her husband asking her to pay for her stepson’s surgery.

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    Text excerpt describing a woman’s experience responding to her husband about paying for her stepson’s surgery costs.

    Text about stepson Ethan needing surgery and asking his dad for financial help, highlighting stepson surgery cost issue.

    Doctor examining teenage boy’s face, relating to stepson’s surgery and family medical decision discussions.

    Image credits: freepik (not the actual image)

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    Her husband later came back to her for monetary assistance, which she rejected

    Woman reflecting on how she responded when asked to pay for her stepson’s surgery in a family and relationship context.

    Text excerpt describing a husband's negative reaction after wife refused to pay for her stepson’s surgery.

    Image credits: Frosty_Woodpecker628

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    Emotionally abusive men fit a particular profile

    Certain personality traits and unpleasant past experiences may cause a person to develop an abusive personality, which they can take out on their romantic partners. However, men who tend to be emotionally cruel to their significant others share particular traits, according to the Connections for Abused Women and Their Children (CAWC). 

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    These traits may include low self-esteem, frequent oversensitivity, unrealistic expectations, and adherence to patriarchal gender roles. 

    The possible gender superiority complex may be the reason why the husband initially rejected his wife’s offer to pay for the stepson’s college expenses. He may also be battling self-esteem issues because of his inability to provide for the family due to his financial struggles. 

    However, his wife was bearing the brunt of whatever he was going through at the time. Emotional abuse often carries scarring effects, from guilt and shame to a lack of emotional security. Worse, they pass it on to another person and repeat the pattern

    Anyone who’s endured any form of abuse from a loved one is encouraged to make themselves the priority. According to licensed clinical social worker Stephanie Payne, LCSW, it’s about finding a safe space that’s far away from where the mistreatment constantly occurs. More importantly, it’s about knowing that your feelings matter. 

    Payne also advises creating an exit plan, which involves having a packed bag with essentials that you can easily grab and leave the house with. This is especially applicable for those who also endure physical abuse and fear for their safety. 

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    “Give yourself some compassion and grace. Be kind to yourself since the abuser is already being very negative towards you,” Payne wrote in her article for Choosing Therapy

    At this point, the woman would be better off leaving her husband and stepson, both of whom seem to have a blatant lack of respect for her.

    Image credits: freepik (not the actual image)

    The woman provided more details about her story

    Screenshot of Reddit comments discussing how the user responded to paying for stepson’s surgery expense request.

    Screenshot of an online discussion about financial struggles related to paying for a stepson’s surgery.

    Many people sided with her, with some advising her to leave

    Commenter responding to a question about paying for stepson’s surgery, discussing financial responsibility and respect issues.

    Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a response to paying for a stepson’s surgery in a relationship conflict.

    Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing emotional and financial issues related to paying for a stepson’s surgery.

    Comment about respecting family dynamics and emotional blackmail in a husband asking to pay for stepson’s surgery.

    Comment discussing how to respond to husband's request for stepson's surgery payment in a marriage context.

    Comment section screenshot showing a user named heyynewman replying "Dump them both" in a discussion about paying for a stepson’s surgery.

    Screenshot of a forum comment discussing how the user responded when asked to pay for a stepson’s surgery.

    Reddit comment discussing a husband asking his wife to pay for her stepson’s surgery and her response to the request.

    Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a response to paying for a stepson’s surgery in a marriage conflict.

    Screenshot of a social media comment discussing reactions related to paying for a stepson’s surgery in a family dispute.

    Text from a Reddit comment discussing a husband’s request to pay for his stepson’s surgery and the resulting family conflict.

    Comment criticizing the manipulative nature of a husband asking to pay for stepson’s surgery in AITAH discussion thread.

    Comment discussing responsibility and feelings about paying for a stepson’s surgery in a family-related conflict.

    Screenshot of a forum comment discussing responses to paying for a stepson’s surgery and financial options for medical care.

    Comment discussing responses and emotions about paying for stepson’s surgery in a tense family situation.

    Screenshot of a forum comment discussing how the husband asked to pay for the stepson’s surgery and the response given.

    Screenshot of an online comment saying NTA in response to how someone responded to paying for a stepson’s surgery.

    Screenshot of a user comment discussing stepson and paying for surgery in an online forum about relationship conflict.

    Screenshot of a social media comment advising to keep money to oneself regarding paying for a stepson’s surgery.

    Reddit comment discussing a response related to paying for a stepson’s surgery in a family conflict.

    Comment on AITAH post about responding to husband’s request to pay for stepson’s surgery and relationship advice.

    But some thought she was out of line for refusing to help a sick teenager

    Screenshot of an online forum discussing how someone responded when asked to pay for their stepson’s surgery.

    Comment discussing whether to pay for a stepson’s medically necessary surgery and how to respond to such requests.

    Commenter discussing responsibility and family ties related to paying for a stepson’s surgery in a relationship conflict.

    Comment discussing responding to paying for a stepson’s surgery and navigating complex family emotions.

    Comment discussing the response to paying for stepson’s surgery, highlighting feelings and family financial struggles.

    Comment expressing outrage over a stepmom's refusal to pay for her stepson's surgery affecting family dynamics.

    Reddit comment discussing moral dilemma about paying for stepson’s surgery in a family conflict scenario.

    Comment discussing a husband's request to pay for stepson's surgery and a partner's response in an online forum.

    Text comment from user WorriedPersonality36 discussing emotional impact of stepson’s surgery and husband’s feelings in AITAH responding to husband about paying.

    Text post discussing a step parent’s response to paying for a stepson’s surgery and family relationship struggles.

    Screenshot of a forum comment discussing a husband's request for help paying for his stepson’s surgery and the moral dilemma involved.

    Screenshot of an online comment discussing a medical need related to responding to a husband about stepson’s surgery payment.

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    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

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    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

    What do you think ?
    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The YTAs don't seem to realize that Ethan is not a "child" any more. He isn't still 16 years old. If OP's mathing is correct, Ethan is now 21 years old. He is an adult. His own father isn't technically responsible for helping pay for a medical expense, let alone the stepmother that both he and his father pushed away years ago. Does it suck that Ethan needs surgery? Yes. But he's not a helpless child like some of the YTAs seem to bizarrely think so.

    Trillian
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He wasn't a child at 16 when he thought it was okay to treat her like that. And the father either standing by or joining in.

    Load More Replies...
    G A
    Community Member
    5 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lose the loser and the loser's son. They have no regard for you, just your cash.

    Alexandra
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm always astonished at how people can muddle things up just to make it suit their intentions. This is just 'actions have consequences', nothing more, nothing less. The stepson has made it clear he doesn't like nor respect his stepmother, so there is no reason for her to pay for him. There is also no relationship to be build on paying for his surgery, because there is no basis for rebuilding a relationship on : he just doesn't like her. That's it.

    Load More Comments
    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The YTAs don't seem to realize that Ethan is not a "child" any more. He isn't still 16 years old. If OP's mathing is correct, Ethan is now 21 years old. He is an adult. His own father isn't technically responsible for helping pay for a medical expense, let alone the stepmother that both he and his father pushed away years ago. Does it suck that Ethan needs surgery? Yes. But he's not a helpless child like some of the YTAs seem to bizarrely think so.

    Trillian
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He wasn't a child at 16 when he thought it was okay to treat her like that. And the father either standing by or joining in.

    Load More Replies...
    G A
    Community Member
    5 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lose the loser and the loser's son. They have no regard for you, just your cash.

    Alexandra
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm always astonished at how people can muddle things up just to make it suit their intentions. This is just 'actions have consequences', nothing more, nothing less. The stepson has made it clear he doesn't like nor respect his stepmother, so there is no reason for her to pay for him. There is also no relationship to be build on paying for his surgery, because there is no basis for rebuilding a relationship on : he just doesn't like her. That's it.

    Load More Comments
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