It's a very polarizing debate. Some people love the bulkhead and some hate it. I am a diabetic that brings my own snacks and drinks on to the plane with me so I have everything I need. I don't want to have to get up and get into the overhead to get those things. I also have my phone, headphones, e-reader. In many airlines the seats are slightly narrower in the bulkhead than they are elsewhere due to needing to have the screen and/or tray table in the armrest. I'm 6'3" 210lbs, I can use every extra bit of space I can get.
Some people love it for the reason your husband talked about. No one with the possibility of reclining into "your" space. There is usually a few extra inches of space on the floor. On many airlines you can get out from the window without disturbing the other pax.