Top 10 Reasons Why Marriages Fail

The key to a successful relationship relies on multiple factors. When a marriage begins to unravel, this is often the result of a number of reasons. As the divorce rate continues to loom, we turned to Dr. Robin Milhausen, Associate Professor, family relations and human sexuality, who helped identify some of those red flags.

Thinkstock

1 / 10

Unhappy sex life

Sex: This three-letter word can be one of the most difficult topics to address with honesty. An inability to find a happy medium between frequency, desire and preference, can each contribute to an unhappy sex life. From lesbian death bed to a hetero dry spell, couples of all genders and orientations can struggle with this one. Getting your intimate life back on track is one of the top 20 rules for a happy marriage.

Thinkstock

2 / 10

The primary unit becomes secondary

When children or careers begin to take precedence over the marriage, cracks can start to form. You can’t wait until the kids are grown and your career starts to wind down to start nurturing your connection. If there's one thing you can do every week to divorce-proof your marriage, it's date night. As challenging as it can be, you need to strike a balance between your primary relationship and your other life commitments. An investment in your marriage is an investment in your entire family unit.

Thinkstock

3 / 10

Most relationships fail

Unfortunately, not every relationship lasts and it can take courage for couples to call it quits. Over a lifetime, we’ll each experience the end of a relationship, such as with a university chum or close co-worker, and one of the most significant could be a marriage. However, the end of one relationship could signal the beginning of another, acting as a launching pad for new experiences. Many find that they achieve their most successful relationship later in life, possibly after a failed marriage.

For more love advice, don't miss the 10 biggest relationship mistakes you may be making.

Thinkstock

4 / 10

Change happens

The only thing that is constant is change. When two people in one union come together, they will experience changes individually and as a couple. If a person evolves and the other partner doesn’t — this can lead to a split. Also, who we are attracted to as a 20-year-old may change by the time we’re 40 or 60.

Shifts in behaviour, however, can be noted and in best cases, can be resolved. Pay attention to the signs you need marriage help before it's too late.

Thinkstock

5 / 10

Financially incompatible

Our values around money can be cultivated in our youth, directly affecting our outlook on finances. Depending on how your parents handled their savings can skew your view. If one person is a spender and the other is a saver, it can be difficult for one person to change their financial disposition and align these differences.

RELATED: 10 things you need to stop now if you want to retire in Canada.

Thinkstock

6 / 10

Life gets in the way

As we get older, life’s challenges and commitments become bigger. How we deal with these milestone stressors as a couple, from ailing parents, health issues and a career change, can help determine if a marriage survives or fails.

Not sure if your relationship is salvageable? Read on for 15 signs your marriage is over.

Lack of trust leads to lack of communication breakdown

Thinkstock

7 / 10

Lack of trust leads to communication breakdown

Communication is key — but establishing a safe and open environment for honest discussions to take place is a necessary base. If one partner isn’t comfortable talking about intimate subjects such as their emotional needs or sexual desires, then this void might be filled elsewhere. We all have needs, and working to satisfy them together is key.

Thinkstock

8 / 10

Molehills become mountains

When issues — both big and small — are left unattended, this build up can lead to hostility. Keeping a tally on a partner’s errors, such as forgetting to unload the dishwasher or picking up the kids from gymnastics, can lead to resentment.

To counter this, remember there are things you can do daily to be a happy couple.

Thinkstock

9 / 10

V is for victim

When both parties feel victimized, the following action can be one of indifference towards the marriage, resulting in both people doing anything they desire. One person may have this attitude before the other, but when one half feels like a victim, the other often follows suit.

This behaviour can hinder the relationship and may be interpreted as a sign you're falling out of love.

Thinkstock

10 / 10

Working overtime with no payoff

When one partner is willing to do their part to mend existing issues, but this aid is offered only up to a certain point. This begs the question: When it comes to saving the marriage, how much responsibility falls on each partner? What is a reasonable threshold?

For more, don't miss the 10 sneaky predictors you're headed for a breakup.