When the Rug is Pulled: Why Women Can’t Afford to Depend on Others

I recently started watching this new Amazon show called Call Me Bae, and the opening scene where the protagonist, Bella (aka Bae), gets thrown out of her marital home really struck a nerve. It made me reflect on how things went so wrong for her.

Bae is the quintessential “rich wife,” seemingly living the dream, but underneath it all, she’s bored out of her mind. Raised by her parents to marry the most eligible bachelor, every choice in her life—from what she studied to the hobbies she pursued—was shaped by this single goal. A career wasn’t even a consideration. Instead, her focus was on looking flawless, wearing designer clothes, and being the perfect wife.

She marries the man her parents dreamed of, and then… what? She finds herself feeling lonely and neglected. There’s only so much shopping and socialising one can do, right? Three years into marriage, the pressure to produce an heir (which hasn’t happened yet) looms large, and things start to unravel. Bae ends up having a fling, and while there’s no excuse for her actions, it got me thinking—how did her life come to this point?

In the show, she manages to pick up the pieces and move forward, but it begs the question: how many women in real life could do the same?

How, in today’s modern, enlightened world, do women still end up in such helpless situations?

It’s easy to blame the men, but we need to reflect on something deeper—why did Bae get to a point where she could be so easily discarded? Why was she so powerless? The simple answer is that she was entirely dependent on her husband. When he pulled the rug from under her, she was left with nothing to fall back on.

This traces back to how she was raised. Her parents groomed her to be an ornament, someone to enhance a man’s life. Career aspirations were off the table. Every life choice was dictated by her mother, not to foster her independence but to secure financial stability for the family. And when her husband kicked her out, her parents didn’t take her back; instead, they pushed her into hiding. Even her friends disappeared.

In Bae’s case, she fought back. But in reality, how many women can actually do that?

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What’s most troubling is that even today, many women still shy away from financial independence. Now, don’t get me wrong—there are plenty of women who are embracing financial literacy and independence, fully aware of how important it is to control their own finances. Women from diverse backgrounds are learning to take control of their lives, whether through entrepreneurship, investing, or simply being financially literate. These women are changing the narrative, and that’s incredibly encouraging to see.

But at the same time, there’s still a large number—especially in metro areas where you would expect progressive mindsets—who don’t. And it’s not just about those forced into dependency by circumstance—it’s about the women who can make the choice but choose not to.

Why does this happen? It could be complacency, comfort, or perhaps a misguided belief that someone else will always be there to take care of things. But life is unpredictable. Whether it’s young girls relying on their parents or married women depending on their spouses, this kind of passivity puts them at risk of being stranded when life throws a curveball. Financial independence is not just about having money—it’s about having options and the confidence that comes with them.

Women must realise that being financially independent is not just a fallback plan; it’s the foundation of self-worth, security, and freedom. We need to start having these conversations, ensuring that women, regardless of their social or economic status, understand the importance of being in control of their financial futures. Why are we letting this happen? Why aren’t more women waking up to the importance of financial independence before it’s too late?