RX Radio Presenters Fatboy and Lesham earlier today joined in discussion about a new relationship trend where married couples are opting to stay physically apart from their partner.
Fatboy explained that although he doesn't believe that marriage can work in this era, this idea could be to keep the spark in a relationship since it would provide a dating-like situation.
“Think about how good the dating stage was where you just spend a weekend together and return to your place. From there, you start to miss them and when you meet again, there’s a whole new excitement, with different vibes, energy and conversation as opposed to when you are with them everyday.”
However, his Co-host Lesham, disagreeing with the concept, said it would distort the meaning of the institution since people get into official marriages to live together. She went on to suggest, saying, “People can just choose to be partners and live separately in different houses without considering marriage, just like Oprah Winfrey and Stedman.”
Fatboy arguably contended that, “I think the experiences in marriage are becoming so difficult that people are now looking for simpler, interesting ways to adapt and reduce the stress that comes with marriage, such as living apart.”
Lesham added that even though absence may make the heart grow fonder, marriages suffer when partners live apart because they can fail to get a deeper understanding of each other. “Believe it or not, there are many married couples who can still be learning about each other even after two years together,” she said.
Fatboy, who is not a strong believer of the institution, recalled how living separately as marrieds was the norm in African culture as people used to practice polygamous relationships. “Monogamy is a western concept that came with Western civilization. For many marriages, there is hardly any difference from couples living separately whereby when the relationship hits the climax and couples lose interest in each other, get separate rooms and barely interact.”
At the rates at which people are divorcing, Lesham recognized that in this age, marrieds living separately have the same chances of divorce just as those living in normal together.
The Fatboy show is hosted by James Onen aka Fatboy, Olive, Sarah and Lesham every weekday from 6am to 10am on RX Radio.
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