The present ‘me centric’ generation is leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of that perfect career graph profile with ambitious skyrocketing. The husband and wife vie with each other to see who can climb the corporate ladder faster and higher. This has led to acrimonious fights and arguments about roles and responsibilities between them. Today these kinds of marriages are on the rocks. Marriage counselors today are alarmed to find that many modern marriages are getting increasingly entangled in the web of messy lifestyles. The fall outs of such a frantic pace of living are eroding the very foundations of the institution of marriage. There’s an urgent need for young couples today to step out of the race, to re-examine and re-evaluate their goals and lifestyles.

Impact on marriages: Having looked at some of the present day scenarios complicating modern marriages it is time to analyze their impact on the individual martial partners and their respective relationships.

Communication gap: There is a tendency for decreased communication, due to lack of time, energy and inclination. The communication turns defensive or indifferent with emotional upheaval in the relationship due to unmet expectations or breakdown of trust.

Conflict in role: Role expectations and performances are ill defined and more confusing with both partners focusing on careers. This can cause conflicts resulting in arguments and bickering.

Lack of personal and interpersonal time: Too much to do and accomplish in too short time leaves no room or time either for oneself or for each other. This results in distance being created due to lack of sharing of ideas, feelings, thoughts, emotions, dreams, visions and goals.

Neglect of responsibilities: Couples caught up in career growth, socializing and living life in the fast lane are bound to neglect their responsibilities as parents as well in caring for elderly relatives at home. This leads to feelings of loneliness, rejection and frustration in the family.

Lack of intimacy and sexual conflicts: Lack of libido and decreased inclination for sexual activity is common in overworked young couples who do not have time for love, sex and any other thing. This can lead to a growing lack of intimacy in their martial relationship.

So, to all those young couples out there, who are inadvertently sabotaging their own marriages by their full throttle, hurried lifestyles, the message is loud and clear: Apply the brakes, slow down, before it’s too late. It won’t harm you to climb the social and career ladder a bit slower. Wealth and status cannot ensure a happy marriage. Don’t convert your home into another office. Don’t transgress martial boundaries, however inconsequential it appears. It’s not just worth it. Resolve conflicts about roles and expectations mutually through logical, objective and peaceful negotiations. In the end, you will realize that reaching the goal post in a tearing hurry is not as satisfying as running the race, honestly enthusiastically and joyfully.
Someone has truly said, “I have a mental joy and good health,
                                         Better friends and inner wealth,
                                         I’ve a wife whom I love and who loves me:
                                         We have all the riches between me and she”.