Why do people stay in unhappy relationships?

Question

I'm asking this because I've seen a lot of it lately. Usually (not always) guys get themselves into a relationship they dont even completely want to be in or they do want to in the beginning but then their feelings change, yet they change? Why do people do this? Why stay in a bad relationship?

Answer 1

I've seen both men and women do this. The decision is usually due to several reasons. Sometimes, the person is simply afraid of being alone (or feels he/she has invested too much time into the relationship to leave), and decides that being in an unhappy situation is better than the alternative. Or maybe children are involved, and staying together seems like the "right" thing to do. Still others may be emotionally abused and manipulated by their partners, and are told that no one else will ever want or love them like their partner does. Whatever the reason though, it seems like the real root of the issue is a lack of self esteem. I've had a few friends go through this, and it can be very difficult to convince them that they deserve better.

Answer 2

Sometimes people are just to afraid of the unknown, there is a lot of security in familiarity even if that familiarity makes you unhappy. The saying 'better the devil you know' comes to mind. Sometimes it's because there are a lot of financial ties involved, it's not so easy to just walk away. Sometimes it's because only one partner is unhappy and the other seems happy, and the unhappy person doesn't want to destroy the happy person. There can be various reasons. Nothing to do with feelings is ever that straightforward. Low self esteem is another factor, when someone believes that they aren't worth anything better and so they put up with a terrible relationship. This is perhaps one of the most tragic reasons.

Answer 3

There are a lot of reasons why people stay in a unhappy relationship mostly depending on the situation they are in. Some people fear change so if they leave that relationship they might feel alone or unloved.

Answer 4

I agree that people stay in bad relationships because they think they don't deserve better, or that they can get better some people are not strong enough to end a relationship for their happiness,they think about the other person involve,if its a marriage then people considered what family members would think etc.

Answer 5

it's easier to stay in an unhappy relationship than it is to go out, find someone new, and be willing to create a new history with them. At least the old relationship (even if it's unhappy) had some happy times and that person knows you already.

(it's just hard to start over!)

Answer 6

They hold on to the hope that things will get better, that the spouse will change, but I believe that people rarely change. If they do, it takes something profound to make it happen. Others may be afraid of being alone, and some think that they don't deserve any better.

Answer 7

Because there is some need being met in that relationship that they are not ready to part with, whether it be companionship for fear of being alone, or desperation because they believe they can't do any better and that no one else will ever love them, or financial/living arrangements that would be to inconvenient and costly to them if they leave their current arrangement.

Answer 8

The thought of being alone can scare most guys so they hang on as a couple even without love any more

Answer 9

sometimes people stick with what they know. It's become a comfort zone, they know what to expect and sometimes it's just easier to stay which I think is wrong. People don't like change..

Answer 10

b/c they think its going 2 get bettr and believe it or not grls stay in bad relationship. they also stay b/c they think that as soon as they leave then he/she will change and they also dont wanna lose the one they love so yea they also think that if they leave then they will nevr get that person back evr again!~!