What is a silent marriage?

When one or both partners sulk, pout, or refuse to talk, they are exerting a cruel type of power in the relationship that not only shuts out their partner but also communicates that they do not care enough to try to communicate or collaborate. People use the silent treatment to control the situation or conversation.


How do you deal with a silent marriage?

How to Respond to the Silent Treatment from Your Spouse
  1. Don't assume you know the reason for the silent treatment. ...
  2. Explain to your Silent Spouse your need and desire to communicate. ...
  3. Be ready to listen, not just talk. ...
  4. Be gracious, not caustic or sarcastic, when your spouse does make the effort to talk with you.


What is silence marriage?

Resorting to complete silence, as a way of getting back at a partner, after a disagreement or wrongdoing is probably as old as marriage itself. The phenomenon is commonly known as silent treatment. It's the opposite of communication in marriage, which has always been described as what oxygen is to life.


What does the silent treatment do to someone?

Research has found that people who received the silent treatment experienced a threat to their needs of belonging, self-esteem, control, and meaningful existence. This type of behavior reinforces the feeling that someone we care about wants nothing to do with us. It can feel as though you don't exist.

Why do husbands give wife the silent treatment?

The silent treatment (also known as withholding) is used to punish and regain control of a person. It may feel good to ignore your partner when you feel slighted but, it keeps you from finding real solutions to the problems that are bugging you the most.


When Men Go Silent?



What kind of person uses the silent treatment?

Avoidance: In some cases, people stay silent in a conversation because they do not know what to say or want to avoid conflict. Communication: A person may use the silent treatment if they do not know how to express their feelings but want their partner to know that they are upset.

What does silent treatment do to a woman?

In general, the silent treatment is a manipulation tactic that can leave important issues in a relationship unresolved. It also can leave the partner on the receiving end feeling worthless, unloved, hurt, confused, frustrated, angry, and unimportant.

Is silent treatment Gaslighting?

The silent treatment is strikingly similar to gaslighting, as both flourish in power and control. In fact, some therapists call the silent treatment a form of gaslighting, used to cause personal uncertainty, and a sense of doubt when considering goals, self-views and worldviews.


What is the best response to the silent treatment?

Tell the person how the silent treatment hurts and leaves you feeling frustrated and alone. That's not what you want or need in a relationship. Explain that you can't resolve issues this way, then be specific about those issues. If this sort of behavior is a relationship deal-breaker for you, state it plainly.

Does the silent treatment hurt the person doing it?

“Exclusion and rejection literally hurt,” John Bargh, a psychology professor at Yale, told me. But the silent treatment ultimately harms the person causing it, too. Humans are predisposed to reciprocate social cues, so ignoring someone goes against our nature, Williams said.

Can a marriage last without communication?

Marriage without communication, without exchange of thoughts, feelings and emotions is unsustainable. You might find that you're not really mindful of making each other a priority, and so when the communication starts to slip the marriage can head into a danger zone.


What is a marriage called without intimacy?

Mariage blanc, a marriage without consummation. Josephite marriage, a marriage sexless out of religious motivation. Marriage of convenience, a marriage for reasons other than love and commitment. Lavender marriage, a marriage concealing discriminated sexual orientation.

How can you tell a marriage is over?

Here are seven signs from experts that a Carmel family law attorney believes mean a marriage might be over.
  • Lack of Sexual Intimacy. ...
  • Frequently Feeling Angry with Your Spouse. ...
  • Dreading Spending Alone-Time Together. ...
  • Lack of Respect. ...
  • Lack of Trust. ...
  • Disliking Your Spouse. ...
  • Visions of the Future Do Not Include Your Spouse.


How do you know if your husband doesn't value you?

20 Signs Your Husband Doesn't Value You
  1. He Dismisses Your Opinions. ...
  2. He Makes Important Decisions Without Talking to You About Them. ...
  3. He Speaks Disrespectfully to You. ...
  4. He Prefers Time Alone Over Time Spent with You. ...
  5. He No Longer Shows Any Affection to You. ...
  6. He Cheats on You. ...
  7. He Micro-Cheats on You. ...
  8. He Won't Make Time for You.


How do you break a silent relationship?

10 steps to break relationship silence
  1. Text a thoughtful message.
  2. Make a phone call.
  3. Apologize.
  4. Schedule a coffee date.
  5. Avoid reacting to toxicity.
  6. Give the other person space.
  7. Workshops or classes.
  8. Use the situation to create boundaries.


What is a narcissistic husband?

A narcissistic husband is usually a very selfish person and will only think about themselves, and not about you or your relationship together. They might expect you to do all the housework, or they may want to have sex with you when they want it, but not when you want it.

What happens when you ignore the silent treatment?

This may be a given, but there is a wide variety of overwhelming emotions that come with being ignored. Feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem, and despair can occur. The effects of silent treatment as abuse can also contribute to depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.


Is silent treatment narcissistic?

The silent treatment is a form of emotional abuse typically employed by people with narcissistic tendencies.

How long should the silent treatment last?

Ideally no more than 1 hour, hopefully less. Say “I will be back in *** (time) to continue the discussion” even if you can only manage to come back to agree to close it down for the time being, or take the matter to counselling.

Why is silent treatment toxic?

The silent treatment is a harsh tactic. When you're on the receiving end of the silent treatment, you may feel powerless, disrespected, invisible, frustrated, or angry — or you may cycle through all of these emotions. “Many people feel powerless because we as humans are inherently social creatures.


What is gaslighting in a marriage?

The term gaslighting became popular in the 1960s. It is used to describe the manipulation of another person's perception of reality. Gaslighting is a common tool used by narcissistic and abusive spouses to control their partners. When done correctly, gaslighting can make a spouse doubt their own senses and memory.

Is silent treatment emotional neglect?

When your physical or emotional needs aren't met, this can be a form of neglect. Emotional neglect might mean deliberately withholding affection, or punishing you with the silent treatment.

What is stonewalling in a relationship?

What does it mean to stonewall someone? In simple terms, stonewalling is when someone completely shuts down in a conversation or refuses to interact with another person.


Why the silent treatment is manipulative?

The silent treatment can be used to manipulate and control the other person by making them feel guilty or ashamed. The silent treatment is often used as a form of punishment or as a way to control the conversation. It can also be used as a form of emotional blackmail.

Who usually ends a marriage?

In fact, nearly 70 percent of divorces are initiated by women. This is according to a 2015 research study conducted by the American Sociological Association (ASA) which suggests two-thirds of all divorces are initiated by women.
Previous question
Is 65 too cold for a dog?
Next question
Who is Daddy Pig brother?