Actress Teniola Aladese has underscored the importance of women achieving independence before marriage, describing it as a critical foundation for a successful union.
Speaking on a recent episode of the That’s What She Said podcast, Aladese said women who experience living alone prior to marriage are better prepared for its demands, as they gain a deeper understanding of their personal preferences, boundaries, and responsibilities.
She noted that many women move directly from their family homes into their husbands’ residences without first experiencing independent living, a transition she warned can lead to culture shock, emotional strain, and, in some cases, regret.
According to Aladese, personal independence before marriage fosters maturity, self-awareness, and resilience, qualities she believes are essential for building healthy and sustainable relationships.
“A lot of women just go from their family’s houses to their husband’s house. But they don’t particularly know what they like; they don’t know what kind of trait their husband-to-be has.
“So they are shocked when they enter the home, and they see some mannerisms that they haven’t experienced before.
“But I feel like when you live alone before getting married, you get to know yourself, you get to know what you like, you get to know the nonsense you would take and the nonsense you would not take.
“But when you just enter into marriage without any experience of living on your own, that is when everything starts shocking you, and regrets creep in,” she said.
