To sustain any relationship both individuals must have the desire and put forth the effort. This is especially true of relationships between spouses which can be challenged by financial problems, childrearing responsibilities, work obligations, health concerns and other life occurrences. If not considered a priority, the relationship between spouses is likely to become strained.
According to a recent study conducted by a family law firm in the United Kingdom, a significant number of married couples are unhappy and eventually plan to divorce. In a survey of 2,000 married parents, 25 percent reported to only staying together for the sake of a shared child. That's not to say, however, that these parents plan to remain unhappily wed forever with 18 percent reporting they "have a date in mind to end their relationship."
The results of this survey beg the question, do kids really benefit when parents remain married solely for their sake? With the holiday season in full swing, 27 percent of parents who were surveyed admitted it will require extra effort on their part to hide marital problems from their children. However, are they really hiding it?
Children are incredibly intuitive and even those who are very young can often detect when mom and dad are unhappy. While survey respondents cited concerns about their children's wellbeing as the number two reason why they remain unhappily wed, staying together solely for the sake of a shared child isn't healthy for anyone.
Life is too short to willfully remain in an unhappy and unhealthy relationship. Tennessee parents who are unhappy in a marriage often have many questions and concerns about child custody. Seeking the advice and guidance of an attorney who handles divorce and child custody matters can help a parent obtain answers and quell concerns.
Source: Huffington Post, "The Top 10 Reasons People Stay In Unhappy Marriages," Brittany Wong, Dec. 15, 2014