Marriage Commitment Problems
- The U.S. Census Bureau reports the average ratio of marriage to divorce is 2:1, which means that 50 percent of those who get married end up divorced. Marriages that end up in divorce last up to eight years on average.
In Britain, the average marriage lasts up to 11 years, according to IndianExpress.com. However, dissatisfaction may set in years before. An article on Dailymail.co.uk.com states that the average couple gives up on romance just two and a half years into a marriage, according to research. - Surfnetparents.com notes that one sign of a troubled marriage is constant disagreements over seemingly trivial things, which eventually lead to major fights. Although misunderstandings are normal in any marriage, if you and your spouse no longer agree on anything, it may be a sign of problems in the marriage.
An obvious decline in personal appearance is a sign that either the husband or the wife is no longer happy with the marriage. Other signs are lost respect, wanting to spend time away from each other and acts of infidelity. - In 1979, Donna Schaper, associate chaplain at Yale University, wrote an article titled "Marriage: the Impossible Commitment," in which she said that putting too much time in at work is one reason why marriages fail. Consider the pressure today to earn two incomes, and you may see why this can cause a gap in the relationship. Traveling, job commitments, overtime and work pressure can all put a marriage on rocky terrain. A couple eventually starts to feel less connected when they don't spend time with one another.
Another cause of marriage commitment problems is lack of intimacy. When two people marry, they commit to share an intimate connection as a couple, but busy schedules may hinder a married couple from having the kind of emotional connection that strengthens marriage. Other factors that negatively affect marriage are financial problems and issues with in-laws. - Maintaining a happy marriage should come from both the husband's and wife's desire to rekindle the passion and romance that brought them together. As Pshychcentral.com puts it, passion is the glue that unites a married couple. Communication is also the key to a successful marriage. Honest and open communication helps renew your interest in one another.
- Marriage counseling has been helpful for other struggling married couples. It can be beneficial to have a professional walk you through marital difficulties. Besides looking in a phone directory, ask your physician or minister for suggestions, or even people whom you know have worked through marital troubles. Choose a counselor whom you and your spouse both feel comfortable with.
