Five Tips to Know When It is Time to End a Marriage

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When it is working right, marriage is the best relational institution known to man. Although they may vary in application, practically every culture develops some form of marriage relationships and vows. From time to time, what started as marital bliss evolves into a marriage war that tears apart the fabric of home and family. Knowing when to tough it out and attempt to reconcile and repair a marriage or to just admit defeat and move on can be a difficult task. In all probability, far more marriages could be saved than are saved. People grow weary with the fight and walk away. A few signals give warning to alert couples that the point of no return is approaching or has passed.

Months and years of mistreatment take a toll physically and mentally on both the person and the relationship. With counseling, some abusive relationships can be mended. However, most cannot be fixed. It is sometimes worth the effort if the abuse is not considered life threatening or has not reached a severe battering level. This type of abuse cannot be allowed to become an acceptable practice within any relationship. It is best to begin to plan an exit strategy when it becomes apparent that the abuse was not an isolated one-time occurrence. Physical abuse rarely happens only once.

Whether it is drugs, sex, gambling, or any of several other possible addictive behaviors, this can lead to the total breakdown of the marriage. The offending partner must be confronted with the idea that constructive and effective help is immediately obtained or the marriage is over. These behaviors bring risks of disease, bankruptcy, illegal activity, and other dangerous possibilities along with them into the home. The addiction must be overcome quickly or the marriage will need to end to protect the other spouse and children.

Some marriages seem to thrive with open relationships and other unusual twists, but most cannot stand up under this type of strain. Inviting a third or more participants into the bedroom would be considered unacceptable to for many marriage partners. Using pornography to spice up sex is very offensive to some people. Many deviant practices in the bedroom fall out under this category. Because of diseases and other harmful activities that accompany these things, a spouse that insists on this as a condition of marriage is headed toward divorce court in most marriages.

While this may better be placed under addictive behavior, sometimes, it is more of a selfish approach to family finances. Anything that one member wants is purchased even if it puts the residence, utilities, and wellbeing of the rest of the family at risk. When bills go unpaid to fuel the selfish interest of one partner, eventually, the marriage will crumble. All but the most resolute will not long endure this type of reckless spending habits.

A spouse that cannot or will not be faithful does not have to be tolerated. Human beings make mistakes. When it becomes evident that it is a pattern of living, it is time to end the charade and split. Persistent cheating with the same partner or multiple sequential partners is generally considered an adequate reason to end a marriage. Adultery is still grounds for divorce.