Why would a person stay with a emotional cripple?

Question

My friend has been with a emotional cripple for almost 30 years. He recently left her for a outgoing loving women but he dumped her and went back to his wife in hopes that she would change. Is it possible for her to change and why does he settle for this?

Answer 1

No, it doesn't sound possible for her to change, but it sounds like he needs her neediness in his life for some reason.  I knew someone like that.  She was involved with an extremely dysfunctional person who came from an alocoholic family and had been terribly abused in every way possible-- she had the emotional makeup of a two year old, and the woman with her needed to be needed.  It made her feel useful, wanted, and... well, needed.