You didn't make that distinction in your "pussy-whipped" comment. Perhaps rather than pussy-whipped, he just hasn't had his marriage degenerate into a state where he feels the need to cling onto every bit of power he can get. I've not been with my wife for 40 years, just ten, but I hope I never reach the stage where I feel the need to avoid discussing things with her in case it means I have to cede some power.