• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Modest Man

  • .
  • Topics
    • Fashion
    • Shoes
    • Accessories
    • EDC
    • Hairstyles
    • Cologne
    • See All
  • Reviews
  • Outfit Ideas
  • About The Modest Man
    • Start Here
    • Contact
Home / Blog / Dating & Confidence
We earn a commission on some purchases you make through our site. Here's how affiliate links work.

15 Marriage Problems That Can’t Be Fixed No Matter What You Do

Updated on November 11, 2025 by TMM Staff · Dating & Confidence

A man and a woman sitting separately on a bed.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Marriage is undoubtedly life’s most beautiful journey if you choose the right partner. With a wrong choice of a partner, your marriage may become a living hell, from which the only escape is divorce. Being forgiving and compassionate towards your life partner is an essential skill for building a strong foundation and a secure future for your marriage. However, there are some red flags that you must never ignore or compromise on.

Here are 15 marriage problems that can’t be fixed no matter what you do and parting ways is the only sane solution to your marital woes

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Constant Disrespect
  • Emotional Neglect
  • Serial Infidelity
  • Manipulation and Control
  • Addiction and Lack of Accountability
  • Financial Irresponsibility
  • Different Core Values
  • Lack of Physical Intimacy
  • Chronic Lying
  •  Unhealed Childhood Trauma
  • Growing Apart, Not Together
  • One-Sided Effort
  • Contempt and Criticism
  • Lack of Communication
  • Refusal to Change
  • Final Thoughts

Constant Disrespect

A man and a woman fighting with each other.
©Afif Ramdhasuma/Unsplash.com

For any relationship to thrive, “respect” is the most critical element. When respect is missing from a connection, then its very foundation is weak. If your partner disrespects your opinions, mocks you, insults you, or dismisses you regularly, they aren’t just disrespecting you; they are slowly losing your respect for them. Such a relationship can never sustain itself.

Emotional Neglect

A woman is talking to her husband, who is ignoring her.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

The most painful thing for a partner is to be with a spouse who is physically with them but is never emotionally available. If your partner shows no concern towards your mental health, despite your constant pleas, and you alone have to bear the entire emotional burden, then there is no point in staying stuck in this marriage.

Serial Infidelity

A disappointed woman arguing with her boyfriend about a text message on a mobile phone.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Like respect, trust is also a founding element of a strong marriage. If one partner is an inveterate liar and a chronic cheater, it’s hard to trust them every time they get into an extramarital affair. When mistrust grows, it slowly fades the connection, and divorce is what follows.

Manipulation and Control

A man sitting at a table talking to a woman.
©Vitaly Gariev/Unsplash.com

The fastest way to lose a partner is by basing the marriage on control and manipulation. If your partner manipulates you into submission, isolates you from the world by controlling your movements, or emotionally or financially controls you, then this is a serious red flag. Such a control-based marriage will always end on a bitter note.

Addiction and Lack of Accountability

A woman smoking while lying on a bench.
©Taylor Williams/Unsplash.com

Alcohol and substance abuse are silent killers of marriage. If your partner refuses to cooperate for rehabilitation and therapy for the sake of your marriage and blatantly denies their addiction is taking a toll on the marriage in any way, then such a marriage is doomed to be a failure.

Financial Irresponsibility

A man is worried after checking monthly bills.
©Vitaly Gariev/Unsplash.com

When a couple ties the knot, they are not just accepting to share lives, but all other aspects of their lives become entwined too. Shared finances sometimes become the battleground for marital troubles, as one partner may be frugal in spending while the other recklessly spends on useless things and hobbies. This creates resentment in the hearts, and divorce becomes inevitable.

Different Core Values

A woman with an inscrutable expression while a bearded man stands in the background.
©Lia bekyan/unsplash.com

The aspect many couples overlook while they look for a life partner is compatibility of value systems. If the husband and wife are poles apart when it comes to worldviews, religions, child-bearing, or basic sets of morals, their entire energies may be directed towards finding a middle ground. Over time the compromises start to feel too heavy, and such differences become the reason for their separation.

Lack of Physical Intimacy

A couple sitting on a bed after arguments.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

A lot of studies suggest that a healthy marriage must not lack regular sex. The couples who have regular sex stay happier and together longer. Sometimes, when emotional intimacy fades, one of the partners may start refusing physical intimacy to express their discontent. If this continues for a long time, the marriage may reach a breaking point soon.

Chronic Lying

A woman talking and her husband is judging her.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Some people are habitual liars, and even as a spouse, they can’t understand the significance of clear and honest communication with their life partner. Such deceitful ways of that partner will make their partner lose faith in them. Such people fail to regain the lost trust in the marriage, causing it to collapse.

 Unhealed Childhood Trauma

A woman looking at her husband for attention.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

A healthy marriage is between two emotionally healthy individuals. If one partner enters the marriage with an unhealed version of themselves, they end up emotionally abusing their partners for the damage that they had never caused. If such a couple mutually agrees to go for couples counseling, only then can this marriage be saved.

Growing Apart, Not Together

A woman standing while a man walks away from her on a street.
©thewayofcolor/Unsplash.com

When two partners grow apart rather than grow together, like choosing different paths or having different passions, the emotional connection erodes. This creates an emotional distance so huge it’s hard to overcome. Marriage is all about mutual growth; when two people walk opposite paths, it is bound to break down

One-Sided Effort

A waiter pours coffee in a mug while a couple is watching silently.
©Alyssa Janet/Unsplash.com

When a marriage is sustained by the constant emotional and physical input from one partner while the other takes them for granted, then that is a problem. The overcaring, overgiving partner may eventually grow tired and stop trying, and this marks the end of that marriage.

Contempt and Criticism

A man criticizing a woman while sitting in a car.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

A couple bound by marriage must be each other’s biggest cheerleaders and supporters. When this mindset shifts, and they start seeing each other as competitors, jealousy, insecurity, contempt, and criticism creep in, irreversibly weakening the very foundations of that marriage.

Lack of Communication

A woman sitting outside with her hand on her forehead, appearing stressed or upset, with a blurred man in the foreground.
©RDNE Stock project/Pexels.com

As long as the door to clear and honest communication is kept open, there is always room for amends and the prospect of sticking together through thick and thin. When the door to communication is closed, then ill feelings and resentment fester, ultimately causing the marriage to fall apart.

Refusal to Change

A lightly bearded man with his back to a woman and looking depressed.
©Getty Images/unsplash.com

Accepting one’s flaws, apologizing, and changing for the sake of marriage are essential to surviving marital challenges. When a partner deflects blame and refuses to reflect and hold themselves accountable, their resistance to change causes irreparable damage to the marriage.

Final Thoughts

A man and a woman with their backs to each other and not talking.
©Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash.com

Every phase in life demands change and acceptance, and so does a rough patch in marriage. Couples who vow to stick together and grow together overcome all relationship troubles and come out of them stronger than before. When one partner in a marriage fails to acknowledge the need for mutual growth, empathy, self-improvement, and good communication, there is no way such a marriage can be saved.

Dating & Confidence

Related Posts
Man and woman arguing
16 Subtle Ways Your Jealousy Is Making You Impossible to Love
17 Ways Men Unintentionally Undermine Themselves in Relationships
15 Ways Men Self-Sabotage Their Success Without Realizing It
17 Things Men Do That They Think Are Attractive But Aren’t
About TMM Staff

The Modest Man staff writers are experts in men's lifestyle who love teaching guys how to live their best lives.

If an article is published under TMM Staff, that means multiple writers worked on it. For example, sometimes several of us have experience with a certain brand, so we collaborate to publish a more thorough review.

Or, if an article was originally written by one person, but then it was updated by someone else, we'll re-publish it under TMM Staff.

Remember: all of our articles (including those below) are written by real people with decades of combined experience in men's fashion and lifestyle topics.

More Articles by This Author

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Join the Club

Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download). No spam. Ever.

Subscribe Now

Reader Interactions

Ask Me Anything Cancel reply

Got questions? Want to share your opinion? Comment below!

Primary Sidebar

Join the Club

Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download).

No spam. Ever.

Subscribe Now

Trending Articles
A person's hands typing on a silver laptop displaying the Hulu streaming service interface with various show thumbnails.
12 Series Finales That Sparked Major Fan Backlash
Seiko 5 SNK805
35 Great Watches for Small Wrists
Men over 40 style
“Old Man Style”: Advanced Age Is the New Sartorial Prime
Fashion brands for short men
Stride in Confidence: Where To Buy Clothes For Short Men
Best Business Casual Shoes for Men
Business Casual Shoes for Men: The 8 Best Options to Step Out in Style
Topics
  • Clothing & Style
  • Outfit Ideas
  • Fitness
  • Product Reviews
  • Dating & Confidence
  • Grooming
  • Men of Modest Height
  • Income Reports
Top 10 Brands
  1. Uniqlo
  2. Nordstrom
  3. Warby Parker
  4. J. Crew
  5. J. Crew Factory
  6. Amazon
  7. Thursday Boot Co.
  8. Mr. Porter
  9. Banana Republic

Footer

The Modest Man logo

Home • Blog • Resources • Contact • Advertise

 

Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure • Terms & Conditions • Sitemap

 

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Copyright © 2025 The Modest Man (Registered Trademark)