Marriage: Love Is Gone For One In Four

Do the vows "till death do us part" still apply? Research finds many Brits are trapped in marriages because of money or children.

One in six wish they had not got married in the first place, the study said

Many married couples are trapped in loveless marriages and are only sticking together either for the sake of the children or for financial reasons, a survey has found.

The study of more than 2,000 people revealed that one-quarter of husbands and wives admit they are not "in love" with their partner.

And the same number admitted they only stay together for the sake of the children and would consider separating once the children leave home.

One-third wished it had worked out with someone else instead, while one in five admitted that they have been unfaithful.

The research by lawyers Slater and Gordon also revealed that one in six wish they had not got married in the first place.

But almost half still said that getting married was the best thing they ever did and three-quarters said they would still wholeheartedly advise young people to get married.

For unhappy couples, arguments over money, sex and spousal control were given as the main reasons cited for the breakdown in relationships.

Finance was the number one reason, the survey found.

One in five said they would end their marriage if they could guarantee they would be comfortable financially.
However, husbands and wives gave different reasons for staying in a loveless marriage.

The number one reason to stay for women was that they would be unable to sustain themselves financially in the event of a split.

Men said the negative impact a divorce would have on the family was their main reason for not leaving.