Erotic needs refer to an individual's desire for physical contact, pleasure, emotional closeness, intimacy, touch, and affection. When these needs are prioritized above duty, it can lead to greater satisfaction and fulfillment in life.
Prioritizing duty over erotic needs has significant psychological costs that may affect both individuals involved in the relationship. These psychological costs include decreased self-esteem, increased anxiety and stress levels, feelings of loneliness and isolation, loss of passion and excitement in the relationship, difficulty communicating needs and desires, and ultimately, resentment towards the partner.
Decreased Self-Esteem:
When erotic needs are deprioritized in favor of duty, individuals may feel like they are not valued or loved enough by their partners. This can lead to feelings of low self-worth, diminished confidence, and poor body image, resulting in negative effects on mental health. They may also start doubting themselves and questioning whether they are good enough for their partners.
Increased Anxiety and Stress Levels:
Deprioritizing erotic needs can lead to increased anxiety and stress levels as individuals may feel pressured to perform certain duties without receiving any form of appreciation or recognition. This can cause them to feel overwhelmed, leading to burnout and eventually affect their overall well-being. It can also cause them to have difficulty relaxing and enjoying time with their partners due to constant worry about what is expected from them.
Feelings of Loneliness and Isolation:
Without adequate physical contact, intimacy, and emotional closeness, individuals may begin to feel lonely and isolated in the relationship. This can make it challenging to build a strong bond with their partner, causing them to become disconnected emotionally and physically.
This can lead to feelings of neglect and abandonment, further exacerbating the problem.
Loss of Passion and Excitement in the Relationship:
Deprivation of erotic needs leads to a lack of excitement in the relationship. This makes it difficult for individuals to stay interested in the relationship, making it hard for both parties to maintain passion and excitement.
This can lead to boredom and dissatisfaction, ultimately contributing to the demise of the relationship.
Difficulty Communicating Needs and Desires:
When erotic needs are deprioritized, communication becomes challenging. Individuals may not be comfortable discussing their needs and desires openly for fear of being rejected or ridiculed by their partners. This can result in resentment, frustration, and conflict between both parties, negatively impacting the relationship's foundation.
Resentment Towards Partner:
Prioritizing duty over erotic needs can lead to resentment towards the partner. The individual may feel like they are being taken advantage of, leading to anger and bitterness. This can create a rift in the relationship that may take significant effort and time to repair.
Prioritizing duty over erotic needs has several psychological costs, including decreased self-esteem, increased anxiety and stress levels, feelings of loneliness and isolation, loss of passion and excitement in the relationship, difficulty communicating needs and desires, and resentment towards the partner. It is essential to strike a balance between these two factors to ensure the healthy development of any romantic relationship.
What psychological costs arise when erotic needs are deprioritized in favor of duty?
Eric Erikson suggested that people who prioritize duty over their erotic urges risk feeling stagnant and unfulfilled. According to his theory of psychosocial development, such individuals may feel as though they have lost touch with their core identities and become disconnected from the world around them. This can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression.