AITAH for telling my husband that he needs to give me half his company if he wants me to be a housewife?

A Redditor recounts a heated debate with her husband after he proposed she become a full-time housewife for the sake of their growing family. Concerned about financial security and future career prospects, she suggested an unconventional condition: receiving half of his company.

Her proposal sparked strong reactions from her husband and friends. Read the full story below to see the details of her reasoning and the controversy it sparked.

‘ AITAH for telling my husband that he needs to give me half his company if he wants me to be a housewife?’

My husband and I (both 35) have been married for 6 years and we have 2 children together and 1 on the way. He said that he wanted me to be a housewife and stop working.

I was very disturbed by that but he explained that it was better for our family and children since he can afford very good living. After a few weeks thinking I told him that I would agree but only if I get 1/2 his company.

He was surprised by this but I explained further that the more I stay at home the less chance I would have to find a well paying job should we ever divorce because I would have less merits, while he would stay making more money each year.

So I want half of the company.If we never divorce, which is the goal of all marriages then it wouldn’t matter but should it end, it would be the price of me staying home and raising our children so he could be less worried and stressed out

(his words, that he would be less anxious and stressed out if he knew they were with me rather than with strangers in daycare or nannies). When I told my friends they called me the ah. My best friend was very angry and called me disgusting. So I am taken aback a little.

These are the responses from Reddit users:

Playful_Robot_5599 −  NTA. To me, this sounds reasonable for exactly the reasons you’ve given.
You don’t want to be the bitter woman finding out in her 50s that waiting tables is her only option because her professional career skills have passed their due date, and your husband has moved on.

You don’t want to be trapped in a loveless or even abusive marriage because you’re financially dependent.
And you don’t want to be a SAHM begging her husband for an allowance.

Hi_Im_Dadbot −  NTA. He’s asking you to make a sacrifice for the sake of the company, so equity in the company is appropriate compensation for this. If you never get divorced then no worries.

If you do, then the extra attention he’s able to give to the business due to your taking on the domestic roles benefits both of you equally, as it should.

[Reddit User] −  NTA and you shouldn’t bend on this. You have as much a right to a secure financial future as he does. If he won’t do this, he can’t afford you or he is looking to create a power imbalance that puts you at a disadvantage.
In future, keep your marital business to yourself. Your friends don’t get a vote.

[Reddit User] −  NTA. I’m a man and I see nothing wrong with your request, you’re just protecting yourself and your future in case things go south. You have every right to have financial security.

daveymcman −  I gave my wife 49%. I still wanted to run the business my way but understood her needs. Sold it 10 years ago married 40 years this year

Winter-eyed −  Is your bestie salty because she is waiting for you to pop out the children then seduce your husband who will leave you with nothing?

Cause a friend is supposed to look out for your wellbeing not suffer outrage on behalf of your husband for asking for fair compensation for sacrificing your career and financial stability to take on the domestic responsibilities. Get a better bestie. That one is suspect.

SadFlatworm1436 −  NTA and I think that’s a great solution ….if he’s serious about his reasoning your option makes perfect sense.

[Reddit User] −  My wife and I have a company together. I have a business degree and used to run my own consulting company. When I set our new business up, everything went in my wife’s name.

This wasn’t to place the burden of risk on her – I never let the company incur any type of debt. I just want to know she is taken care of if anything happens to me and that she doesn’t have to see my name on every little thing/go through the pain of removing it in the event that I die an untimely death.

EDIT: To those who are telling me I did this for selfish reasons- I’m not going to divulge further personal info on a public forum just to validate myself. I’m sorry you are in a place in life where you see negativity in everything. I’ve been there, still dealing with it, and I know it sucks.

EDIT 2: I wasn’t going to use this as a chance to self-promote, but seeing as how people are joking that this is all to take advantage of some kind of government loophole, please let me know more about these lucrative contracts for [digital artists

Ms_SkyNet −  Maybe your best friend is jealous. I think this is a brilliant idea and very fair.

pitagrape −  Definitely NTA, but there’s more to it than that. Your friends can think whatever they want, what matters is what your husband thinks, and does.

Your suggestion of him giving half his company isn’t unreasonable. But also hopefully the company was formed under an LLC, which also helps protect the family assets (if sued, etc). If it isn’t, it may be a good time to create this structure.

Was the Redditor’s proposal a fair way to ensure financial equity in their marriage, or was it an unreasonable demand given the trust in a partnership?

How would you handle such a sensitive topic in your relationship? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!