I think the quoted feeling and state of mind is more common than people understand, and it is likely much more a “guy” thing than otherwise. We may try to convince ourselves that the genders are equal but there is often a deep seated need by most men to take care of their spouse, as their duty as a man, a husband.

When the Great Recession hit, I went through this kind of insecurity even though I weathered the storm better than most. As someone who had always been able to make ends meet, I suddenly began to question whether I could honor the commitment I had made in my own mind if not actually, to her.

Hard to describe how much that feeling affected me and therefore our relationship. It wasn’t my wife, it was me. Not sure what she could have done about it.