{
  "id": 17522237,
  "title": "Invisible Cracks In Modern Marriages: The Hidden Cost Of Emotional Disconnection",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/invisible-cracks-in-modern-marriages-the-hidden-cost-of-emotional",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T02:10:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/lifestyle/invisible-cracks-in-modern-marriages-the-hidden-cost-of-emotional-disconnection"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Invisible cracks are emerging in modern marriages as emotional disconnection takes root, often going unnoticed until it's too late. Experts warn that emotional neglect, defined by the absence of empathy, validation, affection, and emotional presence, is one of the least recognized yet most damaging factors behind marital breakdowns. Unlike emotional abuse, neglect involves what is missing, weakening trust and intimacy long before anyone decides to leave.\n\nChanging expectations from marriage have heightened the focus on emotional fulfilment. A recent study found that 51% of married Indians believe emotional intimacy is missing from their relationship, while 44% of Gen Z, 38% of Millennials, and 54% of Gen X respondents admitted to exploring or considering connections outside their marriages due to unmet emotional needs.\n\nSybil Shiddell, Country Manager of Gleeden India, notes that emotional neglect is becoming increasingly visible as a reason relationships break down, with people feeling emotionally unseen, unheard, or unvalued. It rarely begins with a single incident but rather through partners no longer listening to each other's emotions, recognizing each other's needs, or spending intentional time together. This unspoken separation slowly erodes the relationship, impacting emotional health, especially for children who may grow up feeling insecure, isolated, or anxious.\n\nDr Sujit Paul, a Certified Mental Health Expert and Life Coach, describes neglect as partners stopping to listen to each other's emotions, recognizing each other's needs, and spending time together intentionally. He shares an example of a couple close to separation who, once they recognized the issue as emotional disconnection rather than incompatibility, introduced practices such as daily uninterrupted conversations without phones, active listening, and expressing appreciation. After a few sessions, they felt emotionally connected again and decided to work on their marriage.\n\nEmotional neglect often goes unacknowledged, making it difficult to identify. Anjali Gupta, who divorced at 30, describes feeling alone while married, as her feelings seemed to matter little to her partner. She could spend hours explaining her emotional state but still felt unheard, creating a heavy loneliness that outweighed the loneliness she felt after leaving.\n\nDr Priya Kaul, a Spiritual Life Coach, emphasizes that neglect occurs when one partner consistently feels unseen, unheard, or unloved. Many stay in such relationships because the damage is subtle and hard to recognize. However, if couples are willing to communicate honestly and reconnect, healing is possible. If efforts fail, people begin questioning the sustainability of the relationship.\n\nExperts caution against assuming emotional distance means the absence of love, as partners often express care differently and never discuss those differences. Jyoti Bhalla, 43, shares how her husband deeply loves their family but struggles to express emotions, leading to a disconnect despite his fulfilling responsibilities. Both parties have since made a conscious effort to communicate and connect emotionally.\n\nAnkita Chopra, 25, emphasizes the importance of emotional availability in her marriage, noting that her husband notices when something is bothering her even before she expresses it, and they never leave difficult conversations unfinished. This emotional safety has strengthened their relationship more than any grand romantic gesture.\n\nThe fallout of emotional neglect increasingly intersects with mental health, family well-being, and legal awareness. Sana Raees Khan, Founder of SRK Legal, warns that emotional neglect in marriage may not leave visible signs but can be as harmful as any other form of abuse. The legal world is becoming more aware, encouraging people to seek support.\n\nMarriage professionals believe emotional compatibility should be discussed well before the wedding. Moulik Goyal, Founder of Make My Knot, notes that couples with different emotional expectations often drift apart quietly. He recalls a couple married for five years who had never discussed their emotional needs, with the wife feeling unheard and the husband believing financial security was his way of expressing love.\n\nSuccessful marriages are built on open communication, counseling, rebuilding trust, and prioritizing emotional wellness within families. Preparing for potential problems is crucial, as marriage professionals stress the importance of discussing emotional expectations before tying the knot.",
  "summary": "Not every marriage ends with explosive arguments, infidelity or dramatic confrontations. Many unravel quietly: conversations that disappear, emotions that go unheard, a loneliness that grows despite a shared roof. Experts now count emotional neglect among the least recognised yet most damaging reasons marriages break down. Unlike emotional abuse, which involves active harm, neglect is defined by…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}