Survey: '3-year glitch' puts strain on couples
Source: Agencies |
March 9, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE "three-year glitch" has replaced the "seven-year itch" as the tipping point where couples start taking each other for granted, according to a survey.
Weight gain, stinginess, toe-nail clippings on the bathroom floor and snoring are a few of the passion-killers that have led to a swifter decline in relationships in the 21st century, said the study commissioned by Warner Brothers to promote the film "Hall Pass" in UK cinemas.
The survey of 2,000 British adults in steady relationships pinpointed the three-year marker as the time when relationship stress levels peak and points to a trend of "pink passes" and "solo" holidays away from partners and spouses that many Britons use to keep romance alive.
"Longer working hours combined with money worries are clearly taking their toll on modern relationships and we are seeing an increasing trend for solo holidays and weekends away from marriages and relationships in order to revive the romantic spark," said pollster Judi James, who oversaw the survey.
The poll compared feedback from those in short-term relationships (defined as less than 36 months) and people who were married or in longer-term partnerships.
The findings showed that 67 percent of all of those surveyed said that small irritations which are seemingly harmless and often endearing during the first flushes of love often expand into major irritations around 36 months.
Fifty-two percent of the Brits surveyed who were in younger relationships said they enjoyed sexual relations at least three times a week, compared to just 16 percent of those in relationships older than three years.
This suggests that as we get older together, romance gives way to day to day practicalities, supported by the fact that 55 percent of busy people in longer-term relationships admit they have to "schedule" their romantic time.
The report also said those in the first flush of love can look forward to an average of three compliments a week from their partners - this falls to a single weekly compliment at 36 months.
Weight gain, stinginess, toe-nail clippings on the bathroom floor and snoring are a few of the passion-killers that have led to a swifter decline in relationships in the 21st century, said the study commissioned by Warner Brothers to promote the film "Hall Pass" in UK cinemas.
The survey of 2,000 British adults in steady relationships pinpointed the three-year marker as the time when relationship stress levels peak and points to a trend of "pink passes" and "solo" holidays away from partners and spouses that many Britons use to keep romance alive.
"Longer working hours combined with money worries are clearly taking their toll on modern relationships and we are seeing an increasing trend for solo holidays and weekends away from marriages and relationships in order to revive the romantic spark," said pollster Judi James, who oversaw the survey.
The poll compared feedback from those in short-term relationships (defined as less than 36 months) and people who were married or in longer-term partnerships.
The findings showed that 67 percent of all of those surveyed said that small irritations which are seemingly harmless and often endearing during the first flushes of love often expand into major irritations around 36 months.
Fifty-two percent of the Brits surveyed who were in younger relationships said they enjoyed sexual relations at least three times a week, compared to just 16 percent of those in relationships older than three years.
This suggests that as we get older together, romance gives way to day to day practicalities, supported by the fact that 55 percent of busy people in longer-term relationships admit they have to "schedule" their romantic time.
The report also said those in the first flush of love can look forward to an average of three compliments a week from their partners - this falls to a single weekly compliment at 36 months.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
