Using a partner's deepest insecurities and vulnerabilities—shared in moments of trust—as ammunition during a fight is "weaponizing intimacy." This act is a profound betrayal that can cause irreparable damage to the relationship's foundation.
Divorce lawyer James Sexton theorizes that the process of negotiating a prenup forces couples to have brave, vulnerable conversations. This builds a crucial skill set for navigating future conflicts, potentially lowering their likelihood of divorce.
People mistakenly believe marriage will either change their partner for the better (fixing flaws) or prevent their partner from ever changing (preserving the current dynamic). Both assumptions are flawed and set the relationship up for failure.
The same traits that make hedge fund managers successful—aggression and low risk aversion—make them difficult in divorce. They are more likely to reject settlements and push for costly, high-stakes trials.
This reframes a prenup not as a sign of distrust, but as a proactive choice. You can either accept the default legal contract the government imposes on your marriage (and can change at will) or create your own terms with your partner.
Introduce the topic of prenups early and impersonally. Discussing a celebrity couple's prenup on a third date allows you to gauge your partner's views on the subject without the pressure of it being a direct, personal negotiation.
Athletes' lives are highly structured. Retirement creates a void and loss of purpose, leading to internal dissatisfaction that gets projected onto their partner, causing a spike in divorces within one year of leaving their sport.
A wedding ring is a symbolic object used to create a feeling of safety, much like telling a child there's "anti-monster powder" in their room. It's a comforting myth, but it doesn't actually secure the complex, ever-changing dynamic of a relationship.
Many assume emotional recovery starts during separation, but the legal finality of a divorce is the true starting line for grieving. Until the papers are signed, you haven't "buried the body," and the process of moving on can't fully begin.
To suggest a new sexual act without risking rejection or awkwardness, tell your partner, "I had the wildest dream about you last night." This allows you to describe the fantasy in a low-stakes context. Their reaction reveals their interest without direct confrontation.
In legal settings, proactively disclose your client's flaws or mistakes yourself. Like Eminem's final rap battle in *8 Mile*, this steals the opposition's thunder, makes your client appear more human and credible, and derails the planned cross-examination.
Critics use photos of Pierce Brosnan and his wife to argue against marriage. The counter-argument is that Brosnan has barely aged, suggesting his stable, long-term marriage provided the emotional regulation and support that allowed him to flourish amidst Hollywood pressures.
Instead of confronting a partner with a complaint like, "Why aren't we having sex?", frame the desire positively. Remind them of a specific, happy memory: "I was thinking about that time we... I love when we're that close." This primes them for connection, not defense.