Military couples are facing unique challenges due to their spouses' deployments to different countries and continents. These separations can have various effects on couples, including impacting their sexual behavior, relational commitment, and emotional bonding. This article will explore these issues in depth and provide some solutions for navigating them.
Sexual Behavior
The prolonged separation between military couples can affect their sexual behavior in several ways. Firstly, it can lead to decreased frequency of sexual activity. When one partner is away from home for extended periods, they may feel less motivated to engage in sexual activity when they return home. This can create tension and frustration within the relationship, leading to feelings of neglect and resentment. Secondly, military couples may resort to other means of sexual gratification such as masturbation or cybersex while apart. While this can be a healthy outlet for some, others may feel guilty about straying outside the marriage. Thirdly, the stress of being away from each other can also reduce libido, making physical intimacy more difficult.
Sexual behavior is an essential part of any relationship, but prolonged separation can put strain on it.
Relational Commitment
Prolonged separation between military couples can also impact relational commitment. Without regular contact, partners may begin to question their commitment to the relationship. They may feel like they do not know their partner well enough anymore or that they cannot rely on them for support during hard times. The uncertainty of deployment schedules can make planning for the future difficult, further damaging the relationship. Military spouses may also struggle with loneliness and isolation, which can lead to seeking comfort elsewhere. This can lead to infidelity, which can ultimately damage trust and erode commitment to the relationship.
Emotional Bonding
Prolonged separation can have a significant effect on emotional bonding. It is common for military couples to miss important life events such as birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and milestones due to deployments. This can create distance in the relationship and make reconnecting challenging when the deployment ends.
Missing everyday moments can cause partners to lose touch with each other's lives and interests. This can make reconnection harder after the separation ends.
Feeling isolated and alone can increase feelings of anxiety and depression, which can harm the emotional connection between partners.
Solutions
There are several solutions for navigating these issues. Firstly, communication is key. Military couples should communicate openly about their needs, fears, and concerns while apart. They should set boundaries around sexual behavior, discuss expectations, and agree on what is acceptable during the separation. Secondly, couples should maintain routines while separated, such as daily check-ins or regular video calls. Thirdly, couples should prioritize quality time together when possible to strengthen their bond.
They should seek help from professionals if needed, such as counselors or therapists who specialize in relationships affected by deployment.
Prolonged separation can impact military couples' sexual behavior, relational commitment, and emotional bonding.
By communicating openly, maintaining routines, and seeking help when necessary, these challenges can be overcome. Military couples should not take this time apart lightly but use it as an opportunity to grow closer and stronger than before.
How does prolonged separation shape patterns of sexual behavior, relational commitment, and emotional bonding in military couples?
Studies have shown that prolonged separations can have negative effects on marriages and relationships. When partners are separated for extended periods of time, they may experience increased stress, anxiety, and loneliness which can lead to difficulties with sexual intimacy, trust issues, and communication breakdowns (Taylor & Lerner, 2018).