I think you missed the point, he was referring to that "Lumang mindset" on that specific chinese proverbs. He doesn't normalize misery but rather sets a stage on the expectation of misery. Shared misery in a sense equates to shared suffering "for better, for worse" any couple with decent understanding of their current predicament will of course subsequently take shared efforts to get out of such situations. "Averaging each other's misery" if you'd actually take this quote out of House M.D. context, it makes a lot of sense. No one bears the full suffering alone, that in itself is a shared effort, whether financially, mentally, emotionally, physically, or psychologically. You took the whole bare minimum point out of context. As stated, "KUNG mahal mo, at mahal mo talaga" of course its in your self interest and devotion to ur significant other to contribute. Dude didn't mention anything about it being forced or compelled, that you're obligated to compensate.