The Stages of Marriage

stages of marriage

All marriages experience different stages of growth and development. Understanding 신혼여행지 추천 these phases can help you build a better relationship and enjoy the benefits of a healthy union.

In the first stage, also known as the honeymoon phase, the couple feels like they have found their perfect match. They are so enamored with each other they can’t imagine being without each other.

1. The Romantic Stage

All marital unions move through some predictable stages, which offer new feelings, new challenges and new opportunities for growth.

Couples who successfully navigate these stages will find a deep level of satisfaction in their relationship and may be able to weather future conflict. Those who don’t will likely wind up back in the same place sooner or later, and have established patterns that may keep them from finding the love they’re after in the first place.

During this stage, couples re-discover each other and rediscover the spark that brought them together in the first place. This can happen as children grow up and move on to college or as a couple settles into a fulfilling career.

2. The Commitment Stage

The Commitment stage is where couples decide to commit to each other. They will try to work together to overcome the ups and downs in their marriage (Goddard & Marshall, 2010).

This is where a couple can plan to grow a committed relationship. They can set goals and make plans for the future with their partner, such as buying a home or saving for a child’s college education.

During this phase, people start to notice flaws and differences in their partners that they never noticed during the romantic stage of the relationship. They begin to see the dark sides of each other and they are also able to recognize their own distortions and projections on their spouse.

During this stage, it is important for both partners to stay present and to work on developing individually. This stage can be a difficult one, but it is necessary for the success of the relationship.

3. The Cooperative Stage

A successful marriage requires a fair bit of cooperation. Among other things, couples have to navigate differences in work schedules and budgets, reworked social networks, and a new set of priorities. It’s a challenge, but if both partners are willing to make an effort, they can learn to get along and keep the peace.

The best part is that you’ll be rewarded with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment 결혼준비점검표. It also helps to have a good support system. A strong and committed friend or family member will go a long way toward making you feel safe and secure in your relationship. The most important rule of thumb is to always be honest with one another, but never give up your hard-won privacy or your own uniqueness. Eventually you’ll know that the right person will be on your side. The best way to achieve this is to find a partner that has the same values and beliefs as you do.

4. The Power Struggle Stage

A power struggle in a relationship can erode influence, respect, and trust. The relationship may become hostile or dependent and one partner may retreat emotionally into a shell or be aloof from the other.

When this happens it is important to address the issue immediately and avoid future escalation of conflict. If left unaddressed it can lead to a breakup or emotional disengagement.

Couples who are able to navigate this stage without escalation often move into the third stage of their marriage, where they establish a bond that is not only strong but also loving.

In this stage, there is a lot of communication and negotiation as the couple begins to understand how they can operate within the boundaries of their relationship. They learn how to define and express their values and opinions, how to negotiate and delineate personal space and touch, as well as how to deal with conflict effectively.