IN-LAW INTERFERENCE

Becky and Roy had been married for six years. One would have termed their experience “blissful” but for the fact that they still hoped patiently to have a child after the loss of their two months old unborn baby in their first year of marriage. It has been six years and the story has not changed. In-spite of this situation, Roy treats his wife like a Queen. He adores her, shows her respect and gives her all the attention a woman can crave for.

In this part of the world, it is almost normal that any childless marriage as the case may be is arguably the woman’s fault and this is consequently accompanied with pressure from the man’s family. Sometimes, they even drag him into some polygamous arrangements. Bad as it sounds, it is the better evil. Worse case scenario is to bundle the woman out of her home on account of barrenness.Being the first child and first son  in a family of six with over five years age difference to his next sibling,                                   

Roy's case easily fell in line. Sooner than expected, Roy's mother feigned an illness that landed her in her son’s house for proper treatment. Gradually, checkups from his siblings became more regular until they decided to stay put. Innocent Becky receives them with love and tries to be as great as she could, ignorant of what was coming.

Hell broke loose once her husband was out to work. His siblings called her names like barren woman, prostitute and even went as far as calling her the murderer of her unborn child (a very painful miscarriage she had) and even accused her of bewitching their son and brother, her husband. In all, Becky was being careful not to bring division into the family hence her pretense, putting up an "ALL IS WELL ATTITUDE" She kept mute about this whole issue to her husband.

Her situation went from bad to worse when Becky was made to do their laundry (as far as washing their boxers, pants and bras) and run errands for them. When they were not pleased, they would poke her face directly.

Becky is in a dilemma of what to do, she says she has had it up to her head, but she does not know how to table this constant assault by her in-laws to her husband because she has been threatened to keep her mouth shut or stand a chance of loosing it all as they are ready to deny every allegation. If and when they deny, she would the loose her husband’s trust and eventually get frustrated out of her marriage.

OPEN DISCUSSION

How would you advice Becky to relate the case to her husband and save her home?                                  

As a man, how would you handle this issue since you are at the middle of wife and family and you want peace for everyone ?

What would your reaction be and eventually your decision?

Who do we blame for in-laws interference? And should they be encouraged to undertake protracted visits?

The floor is open.

Please be blunt with your comments, she would appreciate them.