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The hidden tragedy of marriage: Loneliness
We’ve all been sold the dream. Marriage is supposed to cure loneliness. You find a partner, say “I do,” and suddenly the loneliness that once haunted you is a thing of the past. In fact, many of us are conditioned to believe that once we’re married, we’ll be swept up in a life of eternal companionship, emotional fulfillment, and shared experiences. But what happens when that fantasy falls apart?
The truth is, loneliness in marriage is not only a real issue, it can be far worse than the loneliness many experience when they’re single. This isn’t just something that affects people in the lower rungs of society or those struggling financially. In fact, loneliness among elites — those who have everything material they could ever want — can be just as acute, if not more so.
Emotional emptiness in marriage, especially in wealthy or successful relationships, is something that’s often glossed over. Behind the curtains of luxury and privilege, many individuals find themselves struggling with a kind of isolation that’s hard to escape, even when they’re married. Why women choose not to marry is increasingly becoming a topic of discussion as more and more are opting to stay single, and it’s not because they fear being alone — it’s because they’ve seen the realities of marital loneliness firsthand.