{"id":80494,"date":"2022-09-22T08:47:39","date_gmt":"2022-09-22T08:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=80494"},"modified":"2024-05-15T13:14:36","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T13:14:36","slug":"how-unemployment-affects-relationships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/how-unemployment-affects-relationships\/","title":{"rendered":"How Unemployment Affects Relationships & Ways to Cope"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Young<\/p>\n

Job loss is about so much more than losing money. A change in income can put stress on a marriage and take an emotional toll.<\/span><\/p>\n

“My husband’s job is ruining our marriage!”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

“I’m losing respect for unemployed husband\/wife”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

These are not uncommon thoughts when your spouse can’t seem to stay employed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Money matters can be a source of unhappiness in many marriages. <\/span>Research<\/span><\/a> conducted for 748 instances of marital conflict between 100 couples found that money was the most repetitive and prominent topic. It was also the most likely to go unresolved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learning how unemployment affects relationships can help you understand how to handle job loss in your marriage. Keep reading to find out why a job is important to<\/span> marital happiness<\/span><\/a> and learn what you can do if your husband or wife is suddenly unemployed.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Is a job important for marriage?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

When looking at how unemployment affects relationships, it’s important to note that there is more than just a <\/span>financial loss within the marriage<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unemployment creates both psychological distress and economic hardship in a marriage. This can put marriage on shaky ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

You didn’t likely marry your partner because you liked their job. You married them because you love who they are as a person. They make you laugh and share your interests.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, research indicates that sudden unemployment can change how you look at your spouse. One study found that after losing their job, your unemployed spouse becomes<\/span> less attractive<\/span><\/a> to you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is having a job so crucial to a marriage? Three key reasons<\/span><\/p>\n

1. It helps things run smoothly financially<\/b><\/h3>\n

The most obvious reason “stress job loss” or “stress of spouse losing job” may be in your search query is that it allows your household to function financially.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your daily needs (bills getting paid, groceries filling the fridge) are met because you have the money to take care of your family.<\/span><\/p>\n

Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> How To Avoid Financial Problems in Your Marriage<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
2. It allows you to do fun things<\/b><\/h3>\n
One perk of being financially stable is that it allows you to treat yourself every so often.<\/span><\/p>\n
\"Happy<\/p>\n
Planning elaborate trips, saving for big purchases, and going out on fun date nights are all exciting parts of marriage that can negatively impact job loss.<\/span><\/p>\n
3. It brings stability to family life<\/b><\/h3>\n
Children aren’t cheap. With little ones constantly growing out of clothes and sporting ravenous appetites, a suddenly unemployed spouse can throw off the precious stability in your role as a parent.<\/span><\/p>\n
Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> 9 Tips for Building a Healthy and Stable Relationship<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
<\/span>What to do when your spouse becomes unemployed?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Learning how unemployment affects relationships is a tough lesson. What should you do when you suddenly have a husband out of work or an unemployed wife?<\/span><\/p>\n
Don’t panic. Here are a few suggestions about what to do when you and your spouse are experiencing job loss grief.<\/span><\/p>\n
1. Pick up the slack<\/b><\/h3>\n
The first thing to do when you find yourself with an <\/span>unemployed spouse<\/span><\/a> is to start working.<\/span><\/p>\n
If you are working part-time, ask your boss if there is any way you can grab a few extra shifts for the next few months.<\/span><\/p>\n
If you are already working full-time, you’ll need to create a strict budget that you and your family can follow until you’re back in a two-income household.<\/span><\/p>\n
2. Try not to overreact<\/b><\/h3>\n
It can be significantly stressful when you don’t know where your next paycheck comes from. Finding out your spouse lost their source of income may have your mind reeling with such questions as:<\/span><\/p>\n