Expert warns against couple’s ‘controversial’ marriage rules

A woman has revealed the rules she and her husband abide by since tying the knot, leaving many “shocked” by how “strict” they are.

A young newlywed couple have copped fierce backlash over the “controversial” rules they have to abide by in their marriage.

Jaden and Andy McGrew revealed they have banned several seemingly normal habits since they tied the knot – and not everyone agrees with their “strict” way of life.

The couple, who live in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas in the US, first realised their marital habits weren’t the norm after sharing them on TikTok, prompting one relationship expert to warn others not to heed the pair’s advice.

However the couple have defended their rules, stating: “It works for us.”

Jaden and Andy McGrew have divided the internet with their ‘controversial’ marriage rules. Picture: Instagram/@jadenandandy

“We received backlash on multiple videos we posted regarding some of the things we mentioned we do,” wife Jaden told Fox News.

“These are things we agreed on in our relationship over time and from experience.

“These are just things that work for us in our current stage of life, and we were shocked to see how controversial they were.”

Among the couple’s unusual habits was a rule that they share their live location with each other “24/7”.

Second, they share all passwords with each other and “have no secrets”.

Third, they have said “hanging with the opposite gender alone” is off-limits in their marriage.

Jaden defended their habits after copping backlash online. Picture: TikTok/@jadenandandy

Many questioned how the relationship works, claiming the rules suggested there were “trust issues” between the pair.

“How often do y’all check that stuff? Having it is one thing, checking on each other all the time sounds like a trust problem,” one said.

“Tell me you don’t trust each other without telling me …” another wrote.

And one said: “You almost had me! I don’t care who my husband hangs out with … because I trust him.”

The pair must share their locations at all times with each other. Picture: TikTok/@jadenandandy

They also share passwords and don’t hang out with the opposite gender alone. Picture: TikTok/@jadenandandy

Jaden and Andy McGrew noted they are both Christian and their marriage is “rooted in our faith” but stressed the habits are not based on their religion alone.

“While we believe that marriage is the greatest commitment one can make and want to protect our marriage, none of the things mentioned in the video are based solely on our faith,” she told Fox News.

“For example, sharing location is just practical and allows us to check in on each other without having to wait on a response.”

A Chicago-based clinical social worker and therapist weighed in on the topic, saying that while she respects that “what may work well for one couple might not work well for another couple,” the guidelines seem “rather strict” to her.

“I’ve worked with couples after infidelity who have implemented these rules because trust has been broken,” Kelley Kitley told the publication.

To start off a marriage in this fashion appears to signal “a lack of trust,” she added.

The rules were widely criticised by social media users and even relationship experts. Picture: Instagram/@jadenandandy

“Every relationship, including marriage, should have some sense of privacy – although nothing that would hurt the other person,” she said.

“These ‘rules’ seem to have the other person under a microscope, insinuating that they are entering the union without trust.”

Ms Kitley offered the following three habits and practices that newly married couples should take part in, in her view.

1. Make sure you are engaging in sexual intimacy once a week.

2. Greet each other in the morning and/or at the end of the day with a hug and a kiss.

3. Send texts during the day to let your partner know you are thinking about him/her.