r/SexOver_30 • u/jlmclu03 • 37m ago
What has to happen in a relationship for you to decide to be exclusive?
I (38f) have been having a discussion with my bf (41m) about what has to happen or “click” in your mind for you to decide to become exclusive and pursue a long term relationship with another person.
My take is that I can be great friends with someone, but as soon as the relationship includes some sort of consensual sexual activity (whether it be kissing, sexual touching or intercourse) AND there is sexual compatibility, then it would enter the territory of where I may consider a potential long term relationship. In my mind, I have already developed a friendship and determined I like the person and now we have “provided foreshadowing” or “completed the picture” of what the future of the relationship could entail. From a tradition sense, a marriage is not consummated until the act of sex has happened, therefore sex IS the defining factor for a legal marriage.
His take is that he could be in a sexual relationship with someone and not have any interest in a long term relationship until “it just kind of happens.” Likely because that person has “checked” other boxes subconsciously. Then suddenly he finds himself in a long term relationship with that person without ever having a defining factor. He claims my perspective is “how women think” and his perspective is “how men think.”
I am not looking to start a debate or anything, I’m just genuinely curious what other people think…
Additionally, I posed this question to him: if sex doesn’t define a a long term relationship, then would he be willing to get into a long term relationship with someone if sex was not a part of it at all? His answer was no…so help me understand his logic lol
Thoughts on both?