Relationships come in all shapes and sizes. They can last a few days, weeks, months, or even years. But why do some relationships fail? Below are the top five reasons why relationships do not last, and why it’s important to be aware of them.
Lack of Communication: One of the biggest factors that can lead to the end of a relationship is a lack of communication. When couples don’t talk to each other, they can’t share their feelings, needs, and desires. This can be especially damaging if the couple has different communication styles. If one person is more verbal than the other, the less spoken one may feel unheard or unimportant, leading to resentment and a breakdown in the relationship.
Unrealistic Expectations: When couples start a relationship, they often have a set of expectations that they assume the other person will meet. Unfortunately, when those expectations are not met, it can lead to feelings of disappointment and frustration. When expectations are too high, it can also lead to unrealistic expectations that the other person can’t possibly meet.
Loss of Intimacy: Intimacy is a key part of any relationship. Without it, couples can begin to drift apart. This can be especially true if one partner is more interested in intimacy than the other. If the other partner does not feel comfortable with physical or emotional closeness, the relationship can suffer.
Unhealthy Habits: If one or both partners have unhealthy habits, such as smoking, drinking, or using drugs, then it can be difficult for the relationship to last. These habits can be damaging to both individuals in the relationship, and can lead to a lack of trust, communication, and intimacy.
Infidelity: Infidelity is one of the most common reasons why relationships do not last. When one partner is unfaithful, it can lead to feelings of betrayal and mistrust that can be difficult to overcome. Even if the couple is able to move past the infidelity, there is often a lack of trust that can linger and make it difficult for the relationship to last.
Relationships can be incredibly rewarding, but they can also be incredibly difficult. If you’re in a relationship, it’s important to recognize the potential problems that can arise, and to be aware of the warning signs. If you’re able to identify and address issues early on, you may be able to prevent them from becoming bigger problems that can lead to the end of the relationship.
Want to learn more? Try these sources below.
Gottman, J. M. (1994). Why marriages succeed or fail. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Kruk, E. (2006). Children's adjustment to divorce: Risk and resilience perspectives. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Papp, L. M., & Cummings, E. M. (2006). The role of attachment in couple relationships. In J. Cassidy & P. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (2nd ed., pp. 639–655). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Saltz, G., & Hazan, J. (2006). The healing power of intimacy: How to build and maintain close relationships. New York, NY: Amacom.
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