Can A Marriage Survive Without Love?

Back in the 1960s, The Beatles sang “All you need is love.” But do you even need love nowadays for a successful marriage?

Ideally, yes. But many couples are staying together for other reasons, such as kids. Their relationship evolves from a romantic one to a parenting one. In the past, those in rocky marriages with kids would have several options: get divorced, stay together in a miserable marriage, go into therapy and work harder on the marriage, or have an affair.

Having a romantic bond with your partner for decades can be challenging to say the least. It can be next to impossible when kids are involved. That’s why after the love is gone, many couples file for divorce.

Should You Work on Your Marriage?

If you’re living in a loveless marriage, what do you do now? Should you try to work things out? It ultimately depends on your goals. Do you want to fall in love with your partner all over again? Or are you just hanging in there until the kids are grown and out of the house?

If you are in a loveless marriage with kids, then you may opt for a parenting marriage. This refers to a non-romantic marriage centered around child rearing. Couples tend to have mixed feelings about this. Some may think that this does not really constitute a marriage, while many couples are already doing this in their marriages anyway.

Should You Stay in a Loveless Marriage?

Even without kids, many couples stay in loveless marriages and there are a few reasons why. Many want to avoid talking to their spouse about how they feel about their marriage because they want to avoid hurting them. However, not communicating can be even more hurtful.

Couples also stay together due to social norms. Society deems a marriage successful by how long it lasts. A marriage that lasts 50 years, even if the couple was not romantic for the last 20 years, is considered successful, whereas a love-filled 10-year marriage is not.

How to Proceed

Many couples choose to live in a loveless marriage due to children, financial reasons, or simply the practicality of living under one roof. Whatever the case, know that a marriage without love stunts the growth of the two parties involved.

In this case, you either stay or walk away. If you do stay, you need to find out how to be happy in a loveless marriage and determine what you are hoping to get out of the marriage. Many people choose to be happy and therefore end the marriage in hopes of finding a relationship that is more compatible.

Contact a Maryland Family Law Attorney Today

Many people think there needs to be love to have a marriage. There are many others who stay married out of convenience.

If you cannot stay in a loveless marriage, then it may be time to consider divorce. Seek legal help from the Columbia divorce lawyers at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. We have three decades of experience with divorce matters. Schedule a consultation today by calling (410) 774-5987 or filling out the online form. We have two offices to serve you.

Resource:

psychologytoday.com/us/blog/contemplating-divorce/201411/could-you-ever-stay-in-loveless-marriage-some-are-trying