Third year of marriage is happiest, fifth toughest

Five-year itch Couples are happiest in their third year of marriage, while the fifth year of the relationship is the toughest, a new UK study has found. The study carried out among 2,000 married people found that a whirlwind first year of being swept along in a tide of post-wedding happiness is followed by a year of getting to know each other. But the third year marks the point in the partnership when, having overcome the occasional doubt and learned to deal with each other’s imperfections, couples begin to settle into a comfortable co-existence, researchers said. It’s also around this time that plans to add to the family are likely to be discussed, further cementing the relationship. The in-depth study, commissioned by family law specialists Slater & Gordon examined the dynamics of modern married life and found that by the third anniversary both parties were content with the financial implications of tying the knot. Enjoying the luxury of two salaries also makes this an enjoyable time along with the fact that renovations or improvements to the marital home are likely to be close to completion. The study found the fifth year to be the hardest to overcome due to factors such as tiredness or even exhaustion amid increasing workloads. Familiarity with each other, regular bickers over the sharing of chores and the stress caused by financial worries begin to take their toll around the five year point.