Introduction
Throughout a marriage, numerous sexual dilemmas will present themselves. On social media and in movies, marriage, and sexual activity can be made to look like a bed of roses. However, sex issues during a marriage are unfortunately quite common and are not something a married couple ever wants to deal with. The newlyweds need to find something they have in common, get used to being vulnerable in front of one another, and figure out how to satisfy one another sexually. As a married couple, the most significant action you can take is to work toward resolving any sexual problems that have arisen in your marriage. To solve sexual issues, you must first identify the factors contributing to an overall lack of intimacy in the relationship.
Discussion
Marriage-related sexual difficulties include a decline in sexual desire, boredom, and spectatorship (Olson, 2015). Couples may suffer greatly when sexual desire declines. Although a lack of zeal can be traced to hormones or other factors, it is essential to remember that men and women have different needs. The desired model of men is desire-arousal-organism, whereas the desired model of women is connected to the idea that their partner values them as more than just a sexual release. Like watching a game from the sidelines instead of getting involved, “spectatoring” happens when one partner has doubtful thoughts that distract and interfere with sexual intimacy, making it impossible to concentrate on the moment at hand (Olson, 2015). Marriages can suffer from sexual dissatisfaction if the couple becomes bored, so they need to talk about their feelings.
Dissatisfaction with the relationship, a lack of shared activities, old age, poor health, and daily stress also contribute to a decrease in sexual satisfaction in a marriage (Olson, 2015). As people get older, they have several sexual difficulties in their marriages, including a loss of passion and excitement. Loss of attachment can occur when a couple spends too much time together because the relationship becomes less mysterious. When a couple has trouble conceiving, it can seriously impact their sexual life. Ultimately, this results in several medical treatments, and their sexual encounters are carefully planned. A couple’s infidelity is impacted by the reminder of their inability to have children throughout their marriage.
Primary Contributors to Extramarital Affairs
Marriage vows are essential and should not be broken. Extramarital affairs are inappropriate for married people; they should not seek or engage in them (Theology of Work, n.d.). As a result, married couples should resolve their disagreements within the framework of their marriage. By making adultery illegal, society establishes marriage as a sacred institution that must be protected at all costs. Due to the inherent secrecy of such activities, estimating the prevalence of extramarital sexual activity is impossible.
The most common primary causes of extramarital affairs are premarital sexual activity, marital dissatisfaction, sexual dissatisfaction, a lack of religious practice, a preoccupation with sex, parental divorce, insecure attachment styles, and views on gender inequality and marital power and control (Olson, 2015). Infidelity is more common among married women who see opportunities for personal gain outside their relationships. In Balswick’s view, dissatisfied women are the ones who rationalize having an affair. Situational factors, such as frequent travel, being away from home, and daily contact with coworkers, can lead to infidelity. The age difference also plays a role, with younger people being more easily duped.
Conclusion
Young couples report that marital dissatisfaction is a significant factor in initiating sexual relations outside marriage (Olson, 2015). Hormones, psychology, and relationships may influence the decision to have an extramarital affair, but it is still a moral choice.
References
Olson, R. P. (2015). Book review: Balswick, Jack O. and Judith K. Balswick. The family: a Christian perspective on the contemporary home (4th ed.). Review & Expositor, 112(3), 493-495. Web.
Theology of Work. (n.d.). “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). Theology of Work | What Does the Bible Say About Faith and Work?. Web.