Is it true that a man who turns to his wife or girlfriend as a primary source of emotional support isn't ready to be in a relationship?

[Anonymous]

A man should first turn to his family friends or a professional before he takes it up with his wife/girlfriend because of the amount of emotional labor involved. Is this the case?

He should not be in a relationship

It's okay for him to be in a relationship

[Valkyria]

If you can't confide and open up entirely to your partner or spouse, that's a serious problem. To open up about it all garners trust, and trust is incredibly important. Your partner shouldn't judge you for it anyway, that's the whole reason you're together.

Though I do see what you mean about the emotional turmoil and really intense pain you can feel from it, and like being around a depressed person all of the time will also make you depressed, it is pretty harmful. But you're supposed to get through it together. As long as you both want to get better. Couples therapy is also a thing.

[LazerBean]

A person should always turn to their spouse first. It is the person who cannot or will not do that who is not ready to be in a relationship.

[Asker]

How is that fair to the spouse?

[LazerBean]

Because that's what you sign up for when you get married.

[BrookeAZ90]

Who made up that nonsense?

[FifiJones]

No. Who else should he turn to? A mistress?