I boarded a flight from New York to Canada and besides me sat an Italian woman who was sobbing almost uncontrollably wiping her tears with the handkerchief in her left hand, after watching her for sometime with concern, I greeted her, she answered me out of courtesy, and that prompted me to ask, miss, sure all is not well ? Her response was full of betrayed emotions when she replied, I just broke up with my husband of thirty years.
Sir, Marriage is not worth it, I have put in the best part of my youthful years, now I am fifty years old and my husband is no longer comfortable with me, as i continue to see him different from who i used to know as my sweetheart, it’s like we are getting more and more separated instead of getting more and more together, I had to quit to avoid more abuse in the marriage, but it is so painful haven invested so much into my marriage, for the profit of our marital union to increase, instead what I see is a decrease like the LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN in Economics, as she began to sob again and wiping her tears.
Here, I was surprised for the first time to learn that the same law of diminishing return that applies in Economics also applies in marriage.
I then choose to research and write a book on MARRIAGE and THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN.
Research says that, “The law of diminishing return is a principle which defines that profits or benefits gained from something will represent a proportionally smaller gains as more money or energy is invested in it”
Let’s take for example the human being, whom from the time of birth, investment is continous from feeding, clothing, domestic training, formal education, until marriage, as he travels or passes through his youth, he continually invest in himself, immediately he enters his seventies, the law of diminishing return sets in, in some of his actions, speeches, ability to assimilate and remember accurately, including soundness of the once vigorous health, etc, he automatically falls victim to the law of diminishing return.
This law expresses its power in the belief that no matter how, the gains of continous investment in a particular area of effort, will naturally begin to decrease and less profitable and effective and this without doubt also affects marriage.
This means that with the passage of time, the marital investments of one or both parties, may not be able to produce simultaneously the same level of service of happiness and satisfying comfort as it was in the beginning.
This means that there will be a gradual erotion of the spark, attraction, excitement and emotional attachment in the marriage and relationship, as time wears on.
This can also directly result in a reduction in intimacy, communication breakdown and the general feeling of dissatisfaction or even disconnection in the marriage and relationship like the case of the woman that boarded the same flight with me on that faithful day, Her marriage has fallen victim to the unapologetic LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN.
In her case, both of them failed to explore other efforts to keep the relationship and marriage fresh and happy, by indulging in other ways to connect and regularise and prioritise their marriage towards sourcing other avenues for happiness, and fulfilment for their lives.
Now my question is, The law of diminishing return, is it a desired expectation in every marriage or relationships?
However, the truth is that as time wears out, those emotions and factors that constituted the basis of marriage also falls victim to the law of diminishing return whereby the profits of investment in the marriage may also begin to diminish.
If couples will work out other options and ways to explore more in their marriage or relationship, it will no longer be a desired expectation, all they need is to discover new ways to continue to fan the embers of their love relationship and connection.
Truth is that the dynamism of marriage and relationship requires the collective efforts of both parties to keep it functioning in strength of character Love and good health including adventure.
The subject of MARRIAGE and THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN is one that is double faced as it has the ability to bring joyful feelings and good companionship alongside its challenges, because there’s a point in marriage when the benefits begins to decrease, and no matter what you do to encourage its benefits, it continues to succumb to decline, like the LAW of DIMINISHING RETURN in Economics.
Can marriages be able to fight and overwhelm this powerful principle? are you a victim? Maybe you know someone who is experiencing the law of diminishing return in marriage, fact is, the law of diminishing return in marriage is a concept that suggests that the longer the person is in marriage the less satisfaction they experience.
The principle of economics which states that the benefits gained from an investment diminishes as more is invested is the law of diminishing return and it also applies in marriage.
In marriage and relationships, partners may no longer find fascinating experiences in intimacy and communication because almost all actions and advances becomes predictable and less adventurous, as time wears out, except the couples find efforts in recreating the excitement and sparks that will trigger the union again and again.
Are there benefits in the law of diminishing return in marriage?
After several years of marriage the pressure to impress the other partner constantly begins to give way to naturalness, this eventually lowers anxiety and insecurity, giving way to real expressions of affection and care.
Couples may have become too used to themselves, in managing frictions and conflicts, because over the years they have been able to understand the negative triggers that would cause misunderstandings and avoid them to their good health.
Couples are also now focused on pushing their future together in view of the understanding they have about the law of diminishing return especially on how to manage relationships till death do them part.
Couples in relationship and marriages having a proper understanding of how the law of diminishing return functions, are able to reach a point where they see life as it unfolds daily with contentment and excitement.
There are also disadvantages of this law of diminishing return in marriage, firstly, is BOREDOM, The thing is when they begin to see the change in behaviour and disposition in the other partner, boredom and unsatisfaction with the status quo sets in, like in the case of that woman that boarded the same flight with me, seeing that the excitement she experienced in the early years of her marriage has grown wings and flew away, she is tempted to feel that she has missed out on something very remarkable.
As time wears on, those appearances that constitute physical attractions will begin to succumb to natural laws, like a gradual fade in beauty with stressors and other body degrading agents, couples becomes less attractive to themselves, in most cases this can lead to disappointment, resentments and even in worse cases infidelity.
Some couples can also subscribe to complacency and may no longer be interested in the pursuit of value, and sometimes they can even take themselves for granted after being with themselves for a very long time.
All relationships and marriages are at the mercy of disagreements, disappointments, bitterness and disillusionment, the longer or more time you spend with someone creates opportunities for resentments which to a very large extent can trigger the law of diminishing return in that marriage and relationships.