Monday, July 12, 2010

The Truth About Infidelity (part 4) - Risk During Marriage

Infidelity is more likely to occur during certain points in a marriage than others.  External pressures, stress, illness, even changes in society can affect a couples' risk for infidelity.

Risk of infidelity increases:

    After the 1st year of marriage
    Once the "honeymoon" period is technically over, marital couples settle   
    into everyday life with each other. Routines are established, partners become  
    comfortable, and the "lovely-dovey"  newlywed behavior is gone.  Many couples 
    do not continue to date and/or maintain pre-marital interactions that strengthen 
    their relationship.

    Once the first child is born
    Children bring joy and excitement to a marriage.  For first-time parents, the 
    worry and stress associated with parenting takes their focus off of the marital 
    relationship.  The child becomes the most important thing in the family.  Not able to 
    effectively deal with parental stress, couples' can increase their risk for divorce.

    Between year 5 and year 7
    Called the "seven year itch", this period occurs when daily routines and focus on children 
    can decrease the friendship, respect and love which once existed in the relationship.    
    Partners may look outside of the relationship for the excitement they felt during dating or 
    the first year of marriage.

    Middle age 
    There is some debate as to the validity of the "midlife crisis", in which individuals attempt 
    to recapture their youth.  What is true is that during this period, many evaluate their lives 
    and whether or not they reached long-term goals.  This process of change can cause stress 
    and conflict within the relationship increasing risk for divorce.  Also, as people are living 
    longer, more and more choose to live their final 30-40 years with someone new.

       

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