Relationships are the social contacts that people have with others. This may be in the form of friendship, romance, or sexual feelings. If a relationship ends, it can be traumatic for both parties. The need for human connection is a basic biological need and the ability to form healthy, stable relationships may start as early as infancy. Developing stable relationships allows us to learn and develop deeply ingrained patterns of relating to others.
One of the most important factors for relationships is trust. If the two people in a relationship lack trust for each other, the relationship will eventually break up. In some cases, the first sign of a relationship falling apart is betrayal. However, many relationships survive betrayal and are successful despite it. Relationships can also be upended by daily threats such as criticism, contempt, or defensiveness. Even if a couple has been together for decades, there’s no guarantee that it will remain this way. In fact, the number of divorces has doubled since 1990.
In the modern world, people use the word “in a relationship” to signify a long-term, committed romantic relationship. A committed relationship is when two people agree to continue a relationship for the foreseeable future. It requires the two people to spend time together and nurture a connection.