Relationships require compromise, but one Malaysian couple is clashing over a deeply personal issue—family loyalty.
A Malaysian man recently shared his heartbreaking dilemma on social media, revealing that his girlfriend told him his cancer-stricken mother should "learn to be independent" instead of relying on him for support.
The anonymous story, shared by XUAN Play on Facebook, details the man’s difficult situation. His 70-year-old mother was diagnosed with cancer and needed someone to accompany her for treatment. As her only child, and having lost his father when he was just a year old, he felt a strong duty to care for her.
However, his girlfriend didn’t see it that way. She believed his mother should take responsibility for her own health and that his priority should be his future family—not his elderly parent.
According to the man, his girlfriend argued that parents choose to have children, and raising them is their responsibility—not something that should come with expectations of repayment.
"She said my mum should learn to be independent. She even pointed out that there are people older than 70 who are still working," he wrote.
Her comments left him deeply conflicted. While he believed in standing by his mother, his girlfriend felt his actions were driven by outdated ideas of filial piety.
Despite the pressure from his girlfriend, the man couldn’t imagine abandoning his mother during such a critical time.
"She’s 70, battling cancer, and has no one else but me. How can I expect her to handle this alone?" he asked.
His story has since sparked heated debate online, with many users expressing shock at his girlfriend’s perspective. Some defended his sense of responsibility, while others debated the balance between supporting one’s parents and building a future with a partner.
What do you think? Should he prioritize his mother, or does his girlfriend have a point?