The decision to get married is usually filled with excitement for both partners. Nonetheless, for most couples, the honeymoon period wears off quite quickly and the challenges begin. Marriage involves a lot of give and take, and committed couples tend to overcome obstacles together.
However, the reality is that a significant number of marriages don’t make it. What are some of the most common obstacles that married couples face?
Family tensions
Getting married in itself extends the family. Both spouses will have in-laws who will likely play a key role in their lives going forward. Generally, the new and extended family get to know each other and even become close, but this isn’t always the case.
Sometimes, the parents of a spouse may not support the marriage, which can cause significant tension in the relationship.
Conflicting passions
Passion is generally a good thing in a relationship, but there are occasions when passion can turn into conflict and heated arguments. When both spouses are passionate about different causes, this can create a collision course. Households with high conflict can be toxic environments, and marriages don’t tend to last in these conditions.
Financial priorities
Getting married also typically means pooling financial resources. While both partners should retain some financial independence, there will need to be shared goals and communication. When financial priorities differ, this can cause conflict in the marriage. For instance, if one spouse is set on buying a new home, but the other wants to spend money on traveling the world.
If you sense that your marriage is in trouble, it’s important to think about protecting yourself. Gathering as much legal information as possible is a good place to start.