Remember the iconic image of Marilyn Monroe standing in her white halter dress being blown above her knees? Well then you might also know that this sensational pin-up was from the movie, “The Seven Year Itch” released in 1955. So, while throughout the ages, psychologists have used this phrase to depict a declining interest in the marital relationship after 7 years, new research shows that though Monroe continues to be a legend, the seven year itch is now passé and has been replaced by the three-year itch.
The Three-year Itch
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Reuters reported that the survey of 2,000 British adults in steady, long-term relationships pinpointed the 36-month marker as the time when relationship stress levels peak and points to a new trend of holidays away from partners and spouses. The three-year mark in a relationship is where it is going to get a little more challenging to maintain the love, the romance and the view through your rosy glasses. The study was commissioned by Warner Brothers to promote the release of the comedy movie “Hall Pass” in UK.
Results of the Survey
The poll compared feedback from those in short-term relationships (less than 3 years) and people who were married or in longer-term partnerships. As reported by Reuters, the findings showed that 67 percent of all of those surveyed said that small irritations which are seemingly harmless and often endearing during the first flushes of love often expand into major irritations around 36 months. The findings suggested that as we get older together, romance gives way to day to day practicalities, supported by the fact that 55 percent of busy people in longer-term relationships admit that they now have to "schedule" their romantic time.
Another conclusion drawn from the survey as stated by Reuters was that those in the first flush of love can look forward to an average of three compliments a week from their partners – a figure which falls to an average of a single weekly compliment at the three-year high tide mark. The prognosis gets worse the longer we stay in relationships – three in 10 of those surveyed that have been in a relationship for five years or more said that they never receive any compliments from their partners.
The findings also showed that 76 percent of all people surveyed responded that "individual space was important" within a relationship and pointed to a rise of individual activities.
Blame The Fast-Paced 21st Century Lifestyle
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According to Reuters, pollster Judi James who oversaw the survey said, "Longer working hours combined with money worries are clearly taking their toll on modern relationships and we are seeing an increasing trend for solo holidays and weekends away from marriages and relationships in order to revive the romantic spark.”
The top 10 passion-killers? - 1. Weight gain/lack of exercise (13%). 2. Money & Spending (11%). 3. Anti-social working hours, (10%). 4. Hygiene issues (9%). 5. In-Laws/extended family (9%). 6. Lack of romance (8%). 7. Alcoholism (7%). 8. Snoring & anti-social bedtime habits (6%). 9. Lapsed fashion-Same old underwear/clothes (4%). 10. Bathroom habits (4%).
What do you think of the three-year itch replacing the seven-year one?
