Myths About Marriage

Marriage Myths and Realities

• MYTH: Loneliness Myth that marriage will end your loneliness.
REALITY: Many married people are still very lonely.
• MYTH: Fulfillment Fallacy which makes you believe that being married makes you complete human beings.
REALITY: A couple complements one another, not completes one another.
• MYTH: Marriage is for everyone.
REALITY: There are a lot of unmarried people who are extremely happy.
• MYTH: Monogamy Myth makes you believe that you are the only couple who is dealing with infidelity or that it only happens to bad or weak people.
REALITY: Infidelity happens to many couples.
• MYTH: Romance will always be alive in a good marriage.
REALITY: Nearly all relationships experience peaks and valleys. The everyday problems and challenges of married life can often cloud over romantic feelings. This is when making the decision to love is important.
• MYTH: Marriage makes people happy.
REALITY: You can't expect your spouse to be your one source of happiness. Your personal happiness must come from within yourself. Marriage can complement your own individual happiness but it can't be the primary source.
• MYTH: You won't have major problems if you truly love one another.
REALITY: A good marriage doesn't just happen. It takes nurturing, openness, and commitment.
• MYTH: My spouse should know my needs without my saying anything.
REALITY: Just because you're married doesn't mean you can read minds. You have to tell your spouses what your needs are.
• MYTH: Conflict means a lack of love.
REALITY: Conflict happens in every marriage. Fighting fair and for the relationship, and not just to "win" is healthy in a marriage.

Tools for a Successful Marriage

Your marriage needs love, support, tolerance, communication, realistic expectations, caring, nurturing, and a sense of humor to be successful.