3 Most Common Yet Lethal Marriage Problems Couples Face

Couples enter marriage in a state of bliss, eager to experience a happily ever after of their own. Unfortunately, the honeymoon phase will always cease. Marriage will become a conscious decision, one that entails barriers and enigmas to overcome. Cinderella’s happily ever after with the prince may sound like a ruse then, but some marriage problems can easily be resolved.

Others, however, can be almost impossible to surpass. For many, these challenges become the first sign of impending doom—a divorce. The success of marriages depends largely on a couple’s ability to deal with issues as they arise.

Should you wish to protect your marriage from ending in a divorce, you’ll need to be aware of the common challenges a married life can bring. Here are some of the most common yet lethal marriage problems:

Problem #1: Failing to understand boundaries 

Married couples often face differences that can cause arguments, and it’s common for one person to try and change the other. This can be the case for many topics, such as religion, values, or even hobbies and interests. Although it’s a common behaviour, attempting to change what’s important to the other person can feel like an overstep in personal boundaries.

Overstepping a person’s boundaries can feel disrespectful for the victimized spouse. It can feel like a violation of mutual respect, and it can cause a strain in the relationship. It often results in the victimized spouse becoming more withdrawn, or they may retaliate. This can then cause difficulty in communication and showing affection to one another. Although a spouse may have good intentions in attempting to change the other person in drastic ways, it’s important to understand and communicate personal boundaries.

Problem #2: Underestimating the need for good communication 

More often than not, people assume that the mere act of talking constitutes a good communication session. The mere act of talking pertains to the process of giving our information, all without the need to get a response. Talking often serves as a breeding ground for complaints and critique, which can be deadly to any relationship.

Communication pertains to the nonverbal and verbal exchange of information, which means that a response is necessary. Bear in mind that communication is always a two-way process, ensuring that a connection between people can be strengthened. Couples who fail to communicate are left with a doomed marriage, as this leads to more serious issues arising. 

Problem #3: Engaging in emotional infidelity

Emotional distance and disconnection unfortunately are not uncommon in married couples. When a person becomes emotionally distant from their spouse, they may start to look for other people to meet their emotional needs. By doing so, they are engaging in emotional infidelity.

Oftentimes, people feel that emotional infidelity is as bad, or even worse than, sexual infidelity. This is because the offending spouse isn’t just looking for sexual gratification—they’re looking for an intimate, emotional connection with another person.

Couples need to communicate what they consider cheating. This allows couples to be on the same page when it comes to boundaries that should not be crossed. It’s also important for couples to communicate if their emotional needs are not being met and how the other person could fulfill these needs. Meeting the emotional needs of both parties reduces their interest in looking to fulfill them elsewhere.

It’s Never Too Late To Make Things Work 

A failing marriage isn’t something to be ashamed of, as human bonds can be tried and tested for a variety of reasons. Emotions are fickle, and the real magic of marriage lies in a couple’s ability to commit. It’s vital to be aware of the most common marriage problems, along with ways you can fix a broken part. It’s never too late to make things work—where there is love, there is forgiveness.

For marriage counselling in Cambridge, ON,  Chettiar Counselling & Associates has you covered. We offer you a non-judgemental space to process your emotions, allowing you to reflect on your relationship issues in peace. With phone consultations at the ready, we’ll help tailor counselling sessions for you. Book an appointment today.