'I should be a father and be done with my bachelorhood' - US man barred by wife from attending close friend’s wedding abroad

A distraught US man, who is committed to his wife and family, has asked a very valid question on Reddit's AITA platform after having a disagreement with his wife for not letting him attend a very close friend's wedding abroad. The friend who’s getting married next year invited the husband to be a groomsman, along with his whole family - his wife and two kids, aged 7 and 4. Unfortunately, due to financial and personal circumstances, they all can’t attend as a family.

The husband asked his wife if he could go alone for 4-5 days to celebrate with him and a few other close friends he truly trusts and love, noting that they had an all-boys trip three years ago which was approved by his wife. This time, however, she became very upset, saying it’s wrong to leave the family for a wedding, accusing him of guilt-tripping her, and claiming he should have known the answer would be NO.

Lastly, she told the husband that he should be a 'father' and be done with his 'bachelorhood'. The husband, who is a single earner but able to afford more than enough for them, doesn’t drink, do drugs, or womanise - He works hard and goes home, and these overseas friends are his closest social circle. The couple hasn't spoken for two days, and the husband doesn’t know if he was wrong for even asking.


The post drew nearly a thousand responses on Reddit, sparking a heated debate online. Many commenters criticised the wife’s reaction, arguing that the husband’s request was reasonable and that he deserved a short break to celebrate his close friend’s wedding. However, a significant number of users took his wife's side, pointing out that she would be left alone to care for their two young children and deserved understanding and support. They emphasised that she, too, needed a break from the daily routine of managing the household and looking after the kids, suggesting that family time together might be a better choice.