The 10 Stages of Relationships and Why Timing Is Never Perfect
Mr. Barrie Davenport has written an article on October 5, 2020,
where he has referenced Professor Emeritus Mark Knapp, at the University of Texas at
Austin where he had defined that there were 10 different stages in relationships.
The first five steps. (Paraphrased)
1: The attraction phase. Meeting each other for the first time.
2: Honeymoon phase where chemical attraction grows.
3: Third Intensity and Bliss.
4: Bonding stage and commitments are jellying.
5: The committed couple.
From the first meeting to becoming a committed couple “there is no right time” to talk
about what would be done if the relationship were to bedissolved. No one would argue that point. It would be very counterproductive to the growth of the relationship to
discuss its death.
6: This is where the real work begins in keeping the relationship fresh. If the work is
not done, the relationship will begin to falter. Certainly, by that time, it will be far too late
to speak about legally documenting things such as previously owned assets.
Additionally, the closer you get to the end of the relationship, the less likely that
you would be able to negotiate what happens when it is dissolved.
To simplify, in steps 1 through 5, discussing who gets the dog if your relationship fails, is
not very romantic. Steps 6 through 10 would be far worse.
The reality is that “there will never be a right time”.
Notwithstanding that there will never be a right time, there is still a need to protect
personal assets from those who might want to take advantage of another using love as
a cover. There are many documented stories that tell us of those who are dating for
personal financial gain.
“Necessity is the mother of invention.”
The result. Necessity has created a new dating site called ‘Koala-fied’.
To become a member of ‘Koala-fied’, each member will be required to complete a
document that is called the Pre-Introduction Agreement (PIA).
PIA © is the foundation for a dating site that is designed for all 10 stages of relationships,
rather than just a simple introduction.
Included in the PIA© is the requirement for every member to enter into a Pre-Nuptial
Agreement (PNA) prior to co-habitation, whether the relationship is a common law
relationship or a legal marriage contract.
The PIA © will also speak about items such as, how the couples banking is to be set up,
children of previous relationships, who is in control of birth control, tokens of affection,
how rent or mortgages are to be paid, and other important details.
When you have all the discussions at the beginning of the relationship, or even before
the beginning in this case, there should be limited misunderstandings throughout the
relationship on what has been agreed to.
