A relationship expert has identified six betrayals within partnerships that can be more damaging than infidelity.
While many perceive cheating as the ultimate breach of trust between partners, sex and relationships expert Tracey Cox suggests there are other serious issues that can harm a relationship even more severely.
Cox has outlined six specific betrayals that, in her view, have the potential to completely break a relationship apart.
Let’s delve into these concerns.
A significant betrayal can occur if a partner unexpectedly alters their vision for the future, such as deciding against having children, which can be a painful realization for the other partner.
According to Cox, writing for the Daily Mail: “Few betrayals cut as deep as discovering your partner has changed their mind about the life you’ve been visualising together.
“It might be children, moving abroad, career sacrifices promised or reneging on longed for lifestyle choices. You’ve changed your life to work towards this moment – then they casually announce they don’t want it anymore.”
Cox highlights that a person’s true nature can often be revealed in times of crisis.
It can feel like a deep betrayal if the partner you depend on provides less support than expected.
For instance, a man shared with Cox: “My father died suddenly. My mother was shattered and I’m an only child. My wife? She told me I wasn’t fun anymore and it wasn’t manly to cry. When I needed her most, she made me feel like my grief was an inconvenience in her life.”
One naturally anticipates support from their life partner, but Cox notes that if they seem to back everyone else more than you, it can be a crushing blow.
Although it’s acceptable for partners to consider multiple viewpoints or play devil’s advocate occasionally, they should generally be supportive of you.
Experiencing emotional abandonment over time and feeling low on their priority list can be heart-wrenching.
Cox explains that such emotional neglect can be perplexing, particularly if it happens gradually and subtly.
Someone shared with Cox that their partner, though physically present, spent evenings engrossed in their phone and weekends with friends.
Plans made together were frequently canceled.
Cox mentions that while short-term lapses in sexual intimacy are common for various reasons, a complete withdrawal without addressing the issue is a typical ‘relationship betrayal’, creating a significant gap between partners.
“When it happens, it’s usual for the partner who withdraws sexually to control the narrative entirely. Any attempt to discuss it is framed as pressure, their partner is ‘sex obsessed’. They cut you off sexually – then make you the villain for minding,” says Cox.
Although it might be hard to confront, having a partner lacking empathy for your emotions can be tough to mend.
Cox notes that while relationships can sometimes survive infidelity, you cannot force empathy, and its absence can lead to growing resentment.
Cox warned: “This creates a particular kind of loneliness – being unseen by the person who claims to love you most. It also creates resentment – especially if they’re caring (or pretending to care) more about others than you.”