A woman who expressed sympathy for a male friend claiming a 20-year sexless marriage has been cautioned by online users to be wary of his intentions. The discussion unfolded on the British parenting site Mumsnet, where the woman detailed her friend's decision to remain with his wife for their children despite the lack of intimacy.
Many responses were cynical, with commenters suggesting the friend may be seeking 'sympathy sex'. One user described it as 'one of the oldest lines in the book', noting that such claims often mask active affairs. Another warned: 'This is how it starts. My partner did this with a woman he's known for years and the inevitable happened.'
Some users advised the woman to encourage her friend to seek counselling or communicate with his wife, rather than getting involved. One wrote: 'It's a script. If you want to be his friend, encourage him to talk to his wife or go to counselling.'
Others argued that the friend's private life is not her concern. A commenter stated: 'The sex lives (or lack of it) of others is really none of your business.' Another added: 'I wonder what his wife's story is? Sex dies in a marriage for lots of reasons.'
The debate highlighted differing views on sexless marriages, with some noting that couples may choose to stay together for reasons beyond physical intimacy. The woman's post sparked a heated discussion about boundaries and the risks of intervening in others' relationships.
