‘Everything in woman is a riddle, and
everything in woman has one solution—
it is called pregnancy. Man is for woman
a means: the end is always the child.’
— Friedrich Nietzsche,
Thus Spake Zarathustra
Having learnt the ugly truth of love, the woman decides to settle for the next best thing that a man can offer her—security. She settles not only because of his wealth but also to ward off unnecessary male attention. She also realises that the best way to climb that unassailable position of strength and the pedestal of glory is by becoming the mother of his children. She knows that even if he were to leave her tomorrow, he’ll be morally and lawfully obliged to provide for his family. If she can’t have his love, she can, at least, have his money.
A woman is essentially a nurturer; she needs children to fuss over, to provide her with contentment, and to help her connect with her husband. Since motherhood is of utmost importance to her, she wants a man who will provide for her and her children. She may not be the object of his lust anymore, but she will forever be the mother of his children. And through the children, she cements her position in his life, family, and the society. She eventually becomes an extension of his identity.
There comes a time in every marriage when the couple is not into each other anymore—when individual differences become almost insufferable, when they are nothing more than a habit. It is at this stage that the couple discovers each other once again, by portraying the role of a parent. A man is overwhelmed by a woman’s unconditional love for their child; he feels safe with the knowledge that her utmost priority are their children. Her life centres around their safety and peerless upbringing.
A woman, on the other hand, loves it when her husband takes pride and joy in their children. She feels that she is being loved by him, indirectly, through their children. The more concerned he is of their well-being, the more respect she develops for him in her heart. She sees him grow into a responsible individual who works hard to assure a better future for the family. She is ready to overlook a lot of his flaws when he fulfils the role of a father with sincerity. She is even willing to forgive an occasional fling, as long as he returns to his nest and does not disturb the status quo, the blanket of security.
But, given a man’s innate aversion to monogamy, she lives in a constant fear of her man falling in love with the other woman as she will then have to share this blanket with her!