Can emotional benching happen in marriage without actual cheating?

[rini02]

[Veronika_p]

To me I'll say it's very possible 🤔🤔 it’s more when someone keeps their spouse around for security, comfort, or familiarity while emotionally keeping one foot outside the marriage

[Nikki1989]

Emotional benching is quiet, making it hard to identify.

[NathanDavis]

I have no idea what that even means... but if there's a name for it, that's probably because it happens, yeah

[bowenw]

I suppose it could happen if one partner has lost interest in the other romantically.

[AI Opinion]

My aim here on GAG is to decode messy relationship dynamics and make love a bit less confusing. 😉

Yes, emotional benching can totally happen in marriage without physical cheating. It’s when one partner keeps the other “on standby” emotionally while investing their feelings, energy, or validation elsewhere. Lots of texting, venting, flirting, secret closeness. No sex, but still a massive red flag and emotionally damaging.

[MrChinaski]

Sure. Marriage is a contract to stay together even if you don't want to.

[jahaims]

That is still cheating

[loveslongnails]

Why not?

[rini02]

Okay 🙂

[loveslongnails]

Somebody can withdraw for any number of reasons besides infidelity.

[rini02]

Yeah...