Ghanaian counselor and relationship expert, Counsellor Frank Edem Adofoli has said couples risk feeling trapped in marriage when they prioritize society’s expectations over their own values, beliefs and happiness.
He said every marriage is different and couples should agree on the kind of relationship they want rather than blindly follow what others consider ideal.
“Two marriages are not the same,” he said. “So what society perceives to be the right marriage or the ideal marriage might not be the kind of marriage I want with you.”
Adofoli illustrated his point with an example of a woman who had agreed to certain cultural and religious expectations in her marriage but felt unappreciated despite the sacrifices she made.
He explained that the woman felt her voice was ignored and that she could not participate equally in decisions, leaving her feeling that her identity and personal choices no longer mattered.
The counsellor said such situations can turn marriage into a source of restriction, particularly when one partner expects the other to conform without acknowledging their sacrifices.
He urged couples to define the expectations that work for them instead of allowing external pressure to determine how they should live as spouses.
