A divorce lawyer may be the most unlikely source of marriage advice but they have unique insights into why marriages fail. While some studies say that half of all marriages fail, the actual number is much higher because many couples live in horrible marriages but stay together for all sorts of reasons. They are actually worse than divorced couples.

So what are the reasons for divorce?

Of course, we live in a world of choice and now that men and women are financially independent, they do not take BS from no one. Another major reason is that when passion goes out of a relationship.

So what is the secret to a long and happy marriage?

1. Appreciate your partner
2. And keep the relationship spicy.

Breakups are, well, heartbreakingly painful. You can deny yourself as much as you want but the reality is that the pain of breakup has to be dealt with so that you can move on. In fact it is easy to purge your mind of all the negative emotions; otherwise, you will carry the baggage into your next relationship and have another problematic relationship. Watch this video in which relationship guru Amy Kean highlights several different techniques to move on after a breakup.

I simply do not believe that there are any rules for any age when it comes to dressing. If you are fat and your skin is sagging everywhere in your teens, well I am sorry to say, but the reality is that you shouldn't dress like a teen. On other other hand, if you are in your 40s, are fit, have even got some plastic surgery work done, and look hot, there is no reason to flaunt what you have, even if you compete with your teenage daughter.

While many older women now date younger men and it does not raise many eyebrows these days, men have traditionally married women their age or younger than them. Some of it had to do with the fact that men are fertile much longer while women find it hard to be pregnant as they get older and it is nearly impossible for them to have a healthy child in their 40s. Here is more information on the reasons why men choose younger women.

I have found in my research while talking to hundreds of people, including couples, is that if you simply talk about it, problems can be resolved. So when your partner comes to you and says, "Honey, we need to talk," pay attention, then absorb the information, and finally share your thoughts. It is also good to respond later rather than right away so that you have had time to think about it. In other words, literally, communication can do wonders to a relationship. Watch this video interview with Kate White, editor of Cosmopolitan magazine, in which she lays out the rules for communication for couples.

What do men and women want in their lovers?

One of the biggest puzzles that we all face when dating is what does the other person wants. Men often wonder what women want and women also wonder what men want. Despite tens of thousands of years of civilization, we still don't know enough about each other. While there are theories out there, no one really has all the answers. A recent study by Professor Peter Todd points out that most people are themselves not sure what they want in a mate but know it when they see the right person. Not surprisingly, men chose good looks (without looking at their own looks) while women (who were more realistic about who they were and what kind of man was more likely to be not commitment phobic) chose a man who would be stable and reliable.

Related:

What do men want from women

Men have to find out what women want

Men like public sex