Over time, Roger grew increasingly controlling regarding household matters. He pressured Janet to resign from her waitressing job, citing his discomfort with her interactions with other men. Despite Janet's aspirations to pursue nursing and attend night school, Roger forbade her from doing so, citing concerns about her being out late.

Gradually, Janet found herself isolated from her previous life, severed from her friends and family by Roger's controlling behavior. He exerted strict control over every penny entering the household, monitoring expenditures so closely that Janet couldn't even make a purchase as simple as a banana without his knowledge.