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“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart

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Marriage requires a lot of hard work, which typically involves patience, understanding, and communication. However, the relationship can become more complicated if one spouse holds a job with a reputation for tearing couples apart. 
These alleged homewrecking professions were the topic of conversation in a recent Reddit thread. Responses came pouring in, mentioning occupations like police officers, lawyers, flight attendants, musicians, and influencers, to name a few. 
If your better half holds one of these jobs and you’ve been through a rocky marriage, we’d like to hear your insights in the comments!

#1

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
Politicians

They'll swindle a whole nation to get their way, they WILL swindle you.
27points

#2

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
The four p’s. Policeman, paramedics, physicians and firefighters. It’s an old joke.
25points

#3

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
My understanding is that women married to police officers have a higher mortality rate than police officers themselves.
24points

If there’s one commonality among these jobs, it’s the need to be on the go all the time, whether it’s working in the field or being on another continent. In Australia, fly-in, fly-out jobs in the mining and gas industries are a popular example. 

But as Crisp Consulting résumé writer Andrew Martin points out, the reality outweighs its seemingly glamorous reputation.

#4

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
You know who's not on here? Engineers, because we just make things work.
23points

#5

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
Restaurant/Bar manager/owner. They work everyday, often 12-15 hours, every holiday and weekend. The term "restaurant widow" is a real thing. Alcoholism/[illicit substances] are ever present, there's a high cheat rate and a complete lack of accountability, it's just "part of the job".
22points

#6

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
Lawyers. Often married to the job, whether it is for the money or a cause.

Definitely do not put two in the same relationship. As an old, adjunct professor told our class one time:

"Folks, as people who are training to be lawyers, let me give you some life advice. A lawyer becomes you or you were always it. Either way, you don't want two people trained to argue in the same confined space for that long, much less being forced to make life decisions together.

There is a perfectly lovely nursing university in the city center, a few miles down the street.".
21points

Martin says apart from being away for weeks at a time, the spouses of these employees are also forced to shoulder the household and family workload. Eventually, it becomes a breaking point, on top of other internal issues. 

“Workers feel isolated and struggle with loneliness, leading to mental health issues, and they blow out a lot of their money when they finally get off work,” Martin told Bored Panda.

#7

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
Cult leaders.

You'll *never* be their favourite spouse.
21points

#8

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
Depends what your definition of "worst" is.

Cheating? Bar/restaurant workers or owners.

Domestic violence? Cops (by a country mile).

Lack of financial security? Social workers.

Ego/Emotional detachment? Doctors.

Physical detachment? Truckers/soldiers.
20points

#9

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
From my experience dealing with clients... surgeons. The personality type of a surgeon is often a relentless and often sociopathic person with singular interest on one thing (being a good surgeon). They are great at their jobs because of these personality traits but on a personal level they often lack empathy/compassion, reduce everything to clinical and mechanical terms are incredibly cold people and because of their intense competitive streak can be impossible to get along with during any kind of competitive play. When you throw a spouse in the mix and 70-90 hour workweeks you often end up with a toxic stew.
19points

Emergency medical services workers, such as paramedics, are another profession you may see mentioned frequently on this list. However, the posters didn’t give specific reasons. 

Lawyer Mike Kruse provided insight into why this is, noting that 12-hour shifts can last up to 16 months and be grueling for family members. Then, there’s the need to leave or cancel family events to report for work. 

#10

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
Never, ever marry a rock musician. I wouldn't recommend dating one, either. I spent 17 years on that ride (if you count dating musicians, then meeting and marrying one) and it was a nightmare. You will always come in second to a guitar or a gig (or drink or [substances]). Obviously, your mileage may vary, but for me, it was an exercise in futility.
18points

#11

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
Police hands down, the DV rates are actually terrifying.
17points

#12

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
Anything where you’re a trailing spouse in a foreign country. It can sound cool if your spouse goes somewhere cool but it’s also incredibly lonely and isolating, likely you’re moving somewhere where you know nobody but your spouse and they’re working all day (even more isolating with children) and you’re basically left on your own in a foreign country. Even worse if it’s a country you don’t like. The foreign service divorce rates are through the roof.
17points

“A partner waiting at home suffers from late comings, mood swings, and distance from family life, which is often driven by the suspicion of infidelity or secret relationships,” Kruse said, adding that the “cycle of mistrust” turns into a “trigger point” for worse outcomes like domestic violence. 

#13

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
HR.

They consider themselves experts on human behavior and don't realize that their behavior can be at least part of the problem.
17points

#14

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
My mind goes to military - away for long periods at a time, often come back with problems (PTSD etc.).
14points

#15

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
Celebrities and influencers.
14points

Kruse further points out that the job itself can be a “pressure cooker” that spills over into the home. Given how paramedics are at the front row seats of the most gruesome sights, their bodies are unable to “turn off” at the end of the shift. They then become irritable and unpleasant to be around, which affects their partners. 

“Friends and family often misinterpret those responses as malicious intent or infidelity, which escalates minor arguments to out-of-control debates,” Kruse stated, adding that financial stress from unpredictable overtime and the binge-drinking culture may further exacerbate the problem.

#16

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
Flight attendants 


They work away from home for days or weeks, jetlag mess with body, dealing unruly passengers with a smile 


Also cheating is through the roof .
13points

#17

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
Well based on the death certificates I see at my job, a lot of lawyers get divorced then die of a heart attack in their fifties. A LOT.
13points

#18

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
Any that the person defines themselves through their profession.
12points

As Kruse mentioned, the darker side of being a first responder is often overshadowed by the “uniform and the consistent paycheck.” 

“Families desire stability, but they are confronted with trauma exposure, irregular hours, mistrust, and emotional distance. That combination slowly destroys the marriage until it explodes in police intervention and court actions.”

#19

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
So what I’m getting from this thread is, if you work you’re a terrible spouse. That’s it, I have no other choice, I’m quitting my job.
12points

#20

“Never Doing That Again”: 49 People Share How Their Spouse’s Job Tore Their Relationship Apart
Chefs.
11points
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