Many individuals experience some degree of physical and emotional attraction to potential partners during courtship, flirting, dating, or sexual encounters, but this alone is insufficient for maintaining a healthy, committed relationship. Physical or sexual desire may be intense during the initial stages of romance or attraction, but it can fade quickly if the individual feels no deep connection with their partner. Attraction without companionship and compatibility often leads to infidelity, extramarital affairs, and breakups, whereas long-term relational dedication requires mutual affection, trust, respect, loyalty, empathy, communication, support, intimacy, and shared values. Compatible couples have an understanding that they will remain exclusive, faithful, and committed to each other, even when tempted to stray from their agreements. Without such mutual agreement and commitment, one party's sexual desires cannot create lasting stability for both partners, as the lack of devotion creates resentment, jealousy, and mistrust, leading to conflict and betrayal.
Relationship experts advise that there are various types of love, including passionate, erotic, platonic, familial, and romantic love, which differ in depth and intensity but must all be present for a happy, satisfying marriage. In general, romantic relationships involve sexual attraction plus strong feelings of trust, admiration, caring, and attachment, allowing spouses to build a life together based on shared interests, goals, and intimate experiences.
Many relationships begin with intense physical attraction, followed by emotional intimacy over time, as individuals grow closer through common activities, struggles, triumphs, and daily routines. These bonds of friendship and familiarity strengthen over years, resulting in lifelong commitments to each other. The key factor is how sexual desire and emotional intimacy interact within the relationship, requiring both partners to communicate openly about their needs and expectations.
In what ways does sexual attraction affect relational dedication, fidelity, and long-term commitment?
Sexual attraction is commonly understood as an instinctive urge that draws people towards each other for physical intimacy (Nakamura & Custalow, 2013). This can be described as an innate drive that pushes two individuals together when they are perceived as compatible by one another. As such, it may influence a variety of behaviors including relational dedication, fidelity, and long-term commitment.