Sexless Marriage is Grounds for Divorce

 Posted on April 15, 2014 in Kane County family law attorney

According to The New York Times, men and women who are married have sex an average of 58 times a year, just over more than once a week. These statistics, of course, are varied''married people under 30 have sex about 111 times a year.

And it's estimated that about 15 percent of married couples have not had sex with their spouse in the last six months to one year,' reports the Times. Despite these numbers, a common phenomenon in marriage is the waning of sexual interest in one's partner. This can often lead to a sexless marriage'which in turn can lead to divorce.

A sexless marriage is not one in which the couple is merely not being consistently intimate, but rather one in which repeated sexual advances are ignored and the couple experiences a long period without any intimate activity at all.

'It is called either alienation of affection or constructive abandonment,' reports The ExperienceProject.com. If a spouse is withholding sex, or using it as a weapon, this is immediate grounds for divorce. Marriage, as set forth in legal precedent, implies that there will be sex'to withhold this is considered a divorceable offense.

If one partner refuses to seek therapy or medication to help with the issue and it can be proven that the other spouse encouraged this type of healing, the case likely could be considered for an at-fault divorce.

According to DivorcedMoms.com, 'it is unhealthy physically to be in a sexless marriage, never mind the emotional toll it takes. Your self esteem takes a beating over the years of neglect. Psychology Today estimates that roughly 15 to 20 percent of American marriages are sexless, not counting the over 50 percent of unions that end in divorce. That 15 to 20 percent of married couples are living without sex, 'lonely and longing for real love, and the opportunity to express that love through sexual intimacy.'

If you are unable to resolve your sexual needs with those of your spouse, seeing a sex therapist or counselor is often a good first step. If, however, this does not solve the issue, your next best step is to seek the counsel of a family law attorney. Everyone deserves to be satisfied romantically in a marriage'if you are not, divorce could be the right option. Do not go through it alone. If you are in a sexless marriage, contact the law offices of Van A. Larson today.