My husband and I met through our families six months before our wedding, and now two years later we're both trying so hard to make this work that we've created this careful, polite distance where we never disagree about anything but also never really laugh together. We know we care about each other but we don't know how to stop performing 'good marriage' and start building something real.
More people experience this than they realize.
The very effort to honor family expectations and 'make it work' can create a protective barrier that prevents authentic connection from developing.
“Where Are You with Arranged Marriage and Family-Mediated Partnership?”
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.