An Atlanta woman, Riley Madison, has gone viral after sharing a list of alleged "sacrifices" her ex-husband presented to her during their divorce proceedings. The list, shared on TikTok, includes items such as fidelity, financial contributions, and even the act of holding down a regular job.
Madison's ex-husband reportedly itemized his sacrifices, with the first point stating, "Every woman I could’ve had sex with since you and I got together." He also cited giving up his "free time during the week to work a 9-to-5 so that we could get ahead financially" as a sacrifice.
The checklist reportedly contained 15 more points, including forgoing "regular conversations with many women," saving "money that I could have spent on myself," and "acting like a jerk."
The TikTok video detailing the list garnered millions of views, prompting widespread reactions in the comments section. Many viewers expressed disbelief and criticized the ex-husband's perspective, with some labeling him a "narcissist" and "a clown."
Psychologists suggest that the behavior displayed in the list aligns with tactics often used by individuals with narcissistic traits, such as blame-shifting and avoidance of accountability. Susan Spicer, a licensed clinical psychologist, noted that a significant percentage of her patients are victims of narcissistic abuse. According to Ulrich Orth, a Swiss psychologist who studied a large cohort of individuals, narcissism tends to be a stable personality trait that rarely diminishes significantly over time.
Madison shared the list while reportedly with her new husband, framing her experience as an example of overcoming such relationship dynamics. The incident highlights online discussions about relationship expectations and the impact of narcissistic behaviors.