It's Complicated

I've run into this expression several times in the past few days, and though it's vague as vague can be, it is usually in reference to a person's relationship status, more specifically, marriage. So what exactly is a person trying to say.

It got me to thinking about marriage and relationships and the fragile state of it all, especially in lieu of all of our friends that are currently battling marital problems. We are in the midst of experiencing firsthand the all too real statistic that 50% of marriages will end up in divorce. As it stands right now, about half of the people we know seem to be experiencing turbulence (the captain has turned on the "fasten your seatbelt sign") and some of them are clearly heading for disaster. It's difficult to clearly see both sides, but somehow, deep down, it seems to often be rooted in the men and their interminable need to know what they're missing out on.

Now don't get me wrong, there are plenty of self-absorbed women out there who do the same, but somehow I've seen in many guys the need to go out and explore, even at the expense of their families. Mind you, this isn't only about sex, it's about finding themselves and re-living their youth, but whatever be the case, it's their families, especially their children, that suffer.

Conversely, in the instances where it's the woman who deviates, it's often because the man is distant and disconnected, and as a result, she goes out searching for something she can't find at home, compromising the family.

Call me naive and stupid (believe me, you wouldn't be the first), but I really haven't met too many women who would intentionally seek to destroy their families. Sure, they exist, but women more invested in their families, especially their children, and would consequently make more compromises and sacrifices putting them first.

I learned all this from the movie, Bridges of Madison County.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.