--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I got married at 22 and remained in an…" description: "\"I got married at 22 and remained in an abusive marriage for 10 years. I made up my mind that that was never going to happen to me again. I made a brave..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5f/joyce-banda-26839_abuse_i-got-married-at-22-and-remained-in-an-a_410540.png" --- # I got married at 22 and remained in an abusive marriage… ![“I got married at 22 and remained in an abusive marriage for 10 years. I made up my mind that that was never going to happen to me again. I made a brave step to walk out in a society when you didn't walk out of an abusive marriage. It was mental and physical abuse.” quote by Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5f/joyce-banda-26839_abuse_i-got-married-at-22-and-remained-in-an-a_410540.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5f/joyce-banda-26839_abuse_i-got-married-at-22-and-remained-in-an-a_410540.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5f/joyce-banda-26839_abuse_i-got-married-at-22-and-remained-in-an-a_410540.png) > “I got married at 22 and remained in an abusive marriage for 10 years. I made up my mind that that was never going to happen to me again. I made a brave step to walk out in a society when you didn't walk out of an abusive marriage. It was mental and physical abuse.” [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. After enduring a decade of abuse, the speaker resolved never to repeat that pattern, taking the courageous step to leave despite societal expectations. **In simple terms:** She broke free from an abusive marriage against social norms. Key Takeaway Leave harmful relationships despite pressure. Themes courage abuse social norms Mood empowering serious Type personal advocacy When to use this quote - support groups - legal aid - counseling - community outreach Key Concepts feminist theory psychology human rights Questions to Reflect On - What support helped you most? - How can society better protect victims? A Different Perspective Leaving can be dangerous without resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) [Abusive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abusive/) [Abusive Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abusive-marriage-2108993/) [Brave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brave/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Marriage Mental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage-mental-3662146/) [Married](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/married/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Physical abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physical-abuse/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Remained Abusive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remained-abusive-3662147/) [Steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steps/) [Walks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walks/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [“Consider these traditional theories of domestic abuse: - Learned helplessness suggest that abused women learn to become helpless under abusive conditions; they are powerless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-weitzman/consider-these-traditional-theories-of-domestic-abuse-learned/) [Susan Weitzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-weitzman/) > [“The woman knows from living with the abusive man that there are no simple answers. Friends say: “He’s mean.” But she knows many ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-woman-knows-from-living-with-the-abusive-man-that-there-are-no/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [There was mental and physical abuse in my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-moran/there-was-mental-and-physical-abuse-in-my-family/) [Erin Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-moran/) > [Abortion is a worse moral scandal than priests sexually abusing young people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-pell/abortion-is-a-worse-moral-scandal-than-priests-sexually-abusing-young/) [George Pell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-pell/) > [It's just like Michael Jordan and the Detroit Pistons. They tried to take out the best player. Try to put as much physical abuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-jefferson/it-s-just-like-michael-jordan-and-the-detroit-pistons-they-tried-to/) [Justin Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-jefferson/) > [“The symptoms of abuse are there, and the woman usually sees them: the escalating frequency of put-downs. Early generosity turning more and more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-symptoms-of-abuse-are-there-and-the-woman-usually-sees-them-the/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [“The central attitudes driving Rambo are: Strength and aggressiveness are good; compassion and conflict resolution are bad. Anything that could be even remotely associated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-central-attitudes-driving-rambo-are-strength-and-aggressiveness/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [STOP THE ABUSE!!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-the-abuse/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Most African women are taught to endure abusive marriages. They say endurance means a good wife but most women endure abusive relationship because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/most-african-women-are-taught-to-endure-abusive-marriages-they-say/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [“Political prisoners describe: - extreme physical and emotional torture - distortion of language, truth, meaning and reality - sham killings - begin repeatedly taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-matthew/political-prisoners-describe-extreme-physical-and-emotional-torture/) [Laurie Matthew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-matthew/) > [“In some cases abusive or damaged relationships cannot and should not be saved.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-sorenson/in-some-cases-abusive-or-damaged-relationships-cannot-and-should-not/) [Toni Sorenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-sorenson/) > [“As porn has gone mainstream, ushered two decades ago into middle-class living rooms and dens with VCRs and now available on the Internet, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hedges/as-porn-has-gone-mainstream-ushered-two-decades-ago-into-middle-class/) [Chris Hedges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hedges/) > [“The dog leash was still tied tight around the oak tree in the back, stretched worn and limp across the green grass as if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/the-dog-leash-was-still-tied-tight-around-the-oak-tree-in-the-back/) [Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/) > [“Today I wore a pair of faded old jeans and a plain grey baggy shirt. I hadn't even taken a shower, and I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-d-waters/today-i-wore-a-pair-of-faded-old-jeans-and-a-plain-grey-baggy-shirt-i/) [Sierra D. Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-d-waters/) > [“The dependence on the physical often occurs because many black men feel (rightfully or wrongfully) that they are not privy to the same opportunities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-l-jones/the-dependence-on-the-physical-often-occurs-because-many-black-men/) [Ricky L. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-l-jones/) ## More by Joyce Banda > [What I am saying every day to Malawians is that time has come for us to move from aid to trade. We have picked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/what-i-am-saying-every-day-to-malawians-is-that-time-has-come-for-us/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [I want you to know that I don't have any right, Malawi has no right to stop any president from coming to an African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/i-want-you-to-know-that-i-don-t-have-any-right-malawi-has-no-right-to/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [Overall, I have formed three major organizations: the National Association of Business Women, the Young Women's Leaders Network, and the Joyce Banda Foundation. Under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/overall-i-have-formed-three-major-organizations-the-national/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [In 1989, I started the National Association of Business Women. We incorporated microfinance and different job training for women. We did a survey, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/in-1989-i-started-the-national-association-of-business-women-we/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [When I took over, the economy had almost collapsed. I told Malawians we needed to pass through difficult times. Two days ago I even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/when-i-took-over-the-economy-had-almost-collapsed-i-told-malawians-we/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [My dear husband, Richard, has been the driving force behind my success and rise to whatever level I am now. My story and legacy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/my-dear-husband-richard-has-been-the-driving-force-behind-my-success/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [Leadership is about falling in love with the people you serve and the people falling in love with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/leadership-is-about-falling-in-love-with-the-people-you-serve-and-the/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [My father made sure I was treated equally with my brothers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/my-father-made-sure-i-was-treated-equally-with-my-brothers/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [Most African women are taught to endure abusive marriages. They say endurance means a good wife but most women endure abusive relationship because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/most-african-women-are-taught-to-endure-abusive-marriages-they-say/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [The first time I was privileged to meet president Mandela was during his visit to Malawi... shortly after he was released from prison. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/the-first-time-i-was-privileged-to-meet-president-mandela-was-during/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [But the fact that we had to devalue by 40% at once means that Malawians are feeling the shock, the impact of that huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/but-the-fact-that-we-had-to-devalue-by-40-at-once-means-that/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [I sat down in 1989 and I made up my mind at that point that I was going to spend the rest of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/i-sat-down-in-1989-and-i-made-up-my-mind-at-that-point-that-i-was/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [I will forever be thankful to the Malawians and international community, and my professional army and army general, who said: 'No, we will follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/i-will-forever-be-thankful-to-the-malawians-and-international/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [I have chosen to fight against corruption in this country, though I have been advised not to because we are drawing closer to this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/i-have-chosen-to-fight-against-corruption-in-this-country-though-i/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) > [It's heavy, but I am able to carry it. Why? Because I'm an African woman. An African woman carries heavy loads anyway. That's how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/it-s-heavy-but-i-am-able-to-carry-it-why-because-i-m-an-african-woman/) [Joyce Banda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) [Explore all 21 Joyce Banda quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/) ## More Abuse quotes > [I wrote when I was a young teen, but I didn't put an eye on the available markets until I was seventeen. The next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reed/i-wrote-when-i-was-a-young-teen-but-i-didn-t-put-an-eye-on-the/) [Robert Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reed/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [Being nice is okay,but don't allow anybody to abuse it...try to fight for your self when you know your on the right way...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-nice-is-okay-but-don-t-allow-anybody-to-abuse-it-try-to-fight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Build a bridge over shame by teaching kids about sexual abuse. Give them a chance to run to us should they encounter it. Be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-byers-ruch/build-a-bridge-over-shame-by-teaching-kids-about-sexual-abuse-give/) [Carolyn Byers Ruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-byers-ruch/) > [It is sure that those are most desirous of honour or glory who cry out loudest of its abuse and the vanity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/it-is-sure-that-those-are-most-desirous-of-honour-or-glory-who-cry/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [“The sole reason I stand to open it up now is that lots of people who are in pain just like I was, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/the-sole-reason-i-stand-to-open-it-up-now-is-that-lots-of-people-who/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/) [Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/) > [I have a theory that all abuse, no matter what kind of abuse it is, is foremost an assault on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-westover/i-have-a-theory-that-all-abuse-no-matter-what-kind-of-abuse-it-is-is/) [Tara Westover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-westover/) > [“Blaming therapy, social work and other caring professions for the confabulation of testimony of 'satanic ritual abuse' legitimated a programme of political and social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/blaming-therapy-social-work-and-other-caring-professions-for-the/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [Finally, the scariest thing about abuse of any shape or form, is, in my opinion, not the abuse itself, but that if it continues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cumming/finally-the-scariest-thing-about-abuse-of-any-shape-or-form-is-in-my/) [Alan Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cumming/) > [“Research on organised abuse emphasises the diversity of organised abuse cases, and the ways in which serious forms of child maltreatment cluster in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/research-on-organised-abuse-emphasises-the-diversity-of-organised/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [“Stand up for yourself. Never give any one permission to abuse you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/stand-up-for-yourself-never-give-any-one-permission-to-abuse-you/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [All governments should be pressured to correct their abuses of human rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stallman/all-governments-should-be-pressured-to-correct-their-abuses-of-human/) [Richard Stallman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stallman/) > [“Words are free. It does not mean you should abuse them. Be kind with them. They will mirror your actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadinet-tekie/words-are-free-it-does-not-mean-you-should-abuse-them-be-kind-with/) [Hadinet Tekie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hadinet-tekie/) > [My illness is one often characterized by dramatic overspending - in my case through frenzied shopping sprees, credit card abuse, excessive hoarding of unnecessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-behrman/my-illness-is-one-often-characterized-by-dramatic-overspending-in-my/) [Andy Behrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-behrman/) [Browse all 3,113 Abuse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I got married at 22 and remained in an abusive marriage for 10 years. I made up my mind that that was never going to happen to me again. I made a brave step to walk out in a society when you didn't walk out of an abusive marriage. It was mental and physical abuse.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joyce Banda" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/i-got-married-at-22-and-remained-in-an-abusive-marriage-for-10-years/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abuse" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/i-got-married-at-22-and-remained-in-an-abusive-marriage-for-10-years/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5f/joyce-banda-26839_abuse_i-got-married-at-22-and-remained-in-an-a_410540.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5f/joyce-banda-26839_abuse_i-got-married-at-22-and-remained-in-an-a_410540.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5f/joyce-banda-26839_abuse_i-got-married-at-22-and-remained-in-an-a_410540.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I got married at 22 and remained in an abusive marriage for 10 years. I made up my mind that that was never…” — Joyce Banda", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joyce Banda", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-banda/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I got married at 22 and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/i-got-married-at-22-and-remained-in-an-abusive-marriage-for-10-years/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-banda/i-got-married-at-22-and-remained-in-an-abusive-marriage-for-10-years/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```