Navigating toxic relationships can be incredibly challenging, and for many women, leaving isn’t as simple as it may seem. There are several reasons why women endure such situations, particularly when their partner is the primary provider, leading to a fear of losing financial stability and having to start anew.

Kenyan TikToker Maina Mal highlights that provider men often exhibit abusive behavior and questions the options available to women when both provider and non-provider men present challenges. Here are some possible reasons women choose to stay:

1. Financial Dependence
   Many women lack a steady income of their own, making them reliant on their partners for basic necessities such as housing, food, and healthcare. This financial dependency makes the prospect of leaving far more daunting.

2. Fear of Starting Over
   Leaving a relationship entails more than just physical separation; it often means starting an entirely new life. For women who have invested emotionally in a relationship over many years, this transition can be particularly challenging.

3. Societal Pressure and Stigma
   Societal expectations often place unfair burdens on women to maintain a stable household, sometimes at the cost of their emotional well-being. In many cultures, women are expected to endure relationships and marriages, regardless of personal cost, to fulfill their roles as mothers and wives.

4. Concern for Children
   When children are involved, the decision to leave becomes even more complex. Many women believe that staying in a dysfunctional relationship is in their children’s best interest, fearing the negative impacts of separation or believing that a two-parent household, even if toxic, is preferable to raising children alone.

5. Hope for Change
   The belief that their partner will change is another reason women may choose to stay. Toxic partners often display occasional kindness or affection, creating false hope that things will improve. These intermittent moments of tenderness can lead to confusion, making women think their partner is capable of change.

Understanding these struggles is crucial for providing the right support to help women break free from toxic situations and build healthier, more independent futures.