The most profound thing that I learned this week was the Relationship Attachment Model (RAM) this model describes relationships as being split into five different aspects. these parts include: how much you know someone, trust, how much you rely on them, your commitment to them, and touch. This model suggests something that is very different than the way that most people build relationships.

The Relationship Attachment Model suggests that you should never  trust someone more than you know them, and you should never rely on someone more than you trust them, you should never be committed to someone more than you rely on them and you should never touch someone more than your commitment to them. If this is the model for a successful and fulfilling relationship, no wonder divorce rates are increasing. Relationships are being built off balance. the level of touch has far exceeded that of commitment. Cohabitation is a relationship built on the lack of commitment and trust, they are practice marriages for the purpose of getting to know one another without having to rely on the other's honesty. This is a huge reason why marriages preceded by cohabitation are three times more likely to end in divorce and dissatisfaction. The nation would be wise to consider this model when building relationships.