Disposable relationships / Disposable people
We are living in an age where almost everything is disposable. It appears, even in these cash strapped days that we dispose of more items than we save.
Can the same be said of our relationships?
Recent research (2011) suggests that by 2025 the average length of a marriage will be only 10 years. This is a frightening statistic when we consider that the average age of a couple getting married is 30 years of age. Potentially we could get married 3 or more times in our lifetime if those predictions turn out to be correct.
Much is said about commitment in the world of relationships. Many are accused of failing to commit or are accused of being frightened of ‘intimacy’, manifesting itself in a fear of commitment. We all need to review our attitudes and beliefs around this subject.
Maybe we are becoming less used to committing to anything long term. In the last few years studies have shown our attention span is reducing. Many of us just ‘switch off’ if we feel the subject is boring. You may well find this article/ blog boring. We want instant answers and instant solutions. If we don’t get that we dispose of the article or move to another more ‘interesting’ web site.
The same rationale applies to our relationships. Maybe if we find our partner increasingly boring or dull, we press the delete button in our heads and switch off. We appear to no longer tolerate ‘good enough’, and too often demand and expect perfection. Businesses market 100% satisfaction guaranteed as a sales promotion tool. Unrealistically we expect that same level of perfection from our partner.
US research shows that 35% of marriages end within the first 5 years.
In Ireland the prediction is, based on current figures, that the divorce rate will reach 20% in the next few years. Some will argue that this demonstrates the disintegration of society and others will argue that at last couples are now not prepared to live in misery. Some will say that young people to-day have no ‘staying power’ and are not prepared to ‘work’ at their relationship.
Whatever the answer this situation leaves many sad and confused about their lives. This is why we do need to reappraise our view about relationships and their place and worth in to-days fast moving and increasingly ‘disposable’ society.