At a time when divorces are increasing more and more, terms like “separation marriage” and “weekend marriage” they are part of the conversation in some parts of the world.

In Japan, many choose to live separately despite being married in order to have a better lifestyle. Others make a weekend-only arrangement and continue to live separate lives in separate residences during the week in an effort to have “easier” and more flexible relationships.

According to Hellenic Statistical Service in 2017, 19,120 divorces were issued compared to the 11,013 issued in 2016.

In the globalnews.ca article, psychologist Rebecca Cobb, who teaches at Simon Fraser University, explains that the reasons and how relationships end are often “complex and probably not a simple answer.” Having your own space and time in a marriage can potentially be mood-lifting, depending on what people do with their time apart, according to Cobb.

“If they explore new things, develop new friendships, and revitalize existing interpersonal relationships with others, then… when partners spend time together, they have exciting new experiences and new aspects of themselves to share with each other, elements that can renew their passion in the relationship,” Cobb told Global News.

What exactly is a separate marriage?

The term is known as “sotsukon” in Japan — is “a cheaper, easier way to create space at a wedding.”

The key aspect of this arrangement is that it gives people flexibility. “Some couples continue to live in the same house but cook and clean as roommates. Others choose to live in separate homes, but meet regularly or help each other out in various ways, just as they would in a normal marriage,” the Korean portal, Savvy Tokyo, said in an article.

The article adds: “While some of us will continue to have marriages that satisfy us, others know that our expectations will probably no longer be met at some point. You can either move on to a new phase, something like graduation, or end the relationship.”

“People differ in the degree to which they value autonomy and independence. So some people may prefer that type of relationship and be fine with it,” Cobb says.

“I think what the trend suggests is that relationships may be changing and becoming somewhat more flexible, and that people are exploring other ways to have relationships that can work for them,” he said.

Of course these trends are accompanied by concerns and reactions.

“For people living apart, there’s always a concern… There’s a fear that they’re missing out on moments of their partner’s life… So if one partner is experiencing personal growth and the other isn’t, then that’s actually potentially threatening,” she explained. Cobb.

Also, these types of options can become very expensive for some and may not be feasible in the long run. Safe and healthy relationships are a balance between closeness and autonomy and probably that was, is and will be the issue between two people who may or may not have chosen marriage.