Mary Rooke Commentary and Analysis Writer
If there is one thing I hate most in the world when it comes to modern marriage dynamics, it is the way wives treat their husbands like subservient bafoons. Actor Alec Baldwin is in such a marriage, and despite my personal disdain for him, I feel bad that he is married to a woman who seemingly gets off by humiliating him.
His wife, Hilaria, posted a video of her sticking her feet in his face, demanding a foot rub without really saying a word, and especially not asking kindly. Alec, like a broken man, gives in to the taunting, granting her embarrassing demand. Now, here is the deal: it’s not really about the foot rub. Husbands should love their wives, and foot rubs are something I will never turn down when my husband offers.
HOWEVER, there is a difference between asking for a foot rub and what Hilaria did. This behavior is not an isolated incident. She frequently jumps at the opportunity to take what used to be one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors and turn him into the butt of a joke. (Sign up for Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!)
Men need to be respected by their wives. Good men deserve it. I’m not saying that Alec is a good man. There are plenty of reasons for others not to respect him. However, his wife saw him as worthy of marriage, and unless there is something hidden between them that warrants this demeaning behavior, one can only assume this is a power play on her part.
Men have their faults, but it has become acceptable in our broken society for women to no longer show their husbands any respect. Hilaria is not alone in this; plenty of women seem to enjoy belittling their men. But by doing this, these women are throwing toxic sludge on what could otherwise be a healthy marriage. (ROOKE: Millennial Parents Are Rediscovering Age-Old Method Of Raising Good Kids)
Again, it’s not about the foot rub. It’s the totality of her actions that makes me want to ask Alec if he is okay. She should be chastised for doing this. But she won’t be. Many women will find it funny and praise her ability to control him.
We should be our husbands’ companions and greatest supporters. We should want them to look strong and confident when they go out in the world. It’s one thing to tease him in the privacy of your marriage and a completely different scenario to post a video like this for the world to see.
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