Secrets in relationships can be like hidden currents beneath calm waters, and it seems they're more prevalent than we might think, especially when couples decide to move in together. Recent research involving 2,000 Americans sheds light on the undisclosed truths that often accompany this significant life transition.
Surprisingly, almost a quarter of individuals have kept secrets from their partners during the move-in process, as revealed by the survey. Millennials lead the pack in secrecy, with 33% admitting to withholding information, closely followed by Gen Z at 27%, while baby boomers tend to be more forthcoming, with only 11% keeping secrets.
What's striking is the duration of these secrets: one-third of respondents hid information for over a year, and nearly half still have undisclosed details they haven't shared. Despite feelings of guilt among the majority (68%), less than half (43%) intend to come clean about all their secrets.
Interestingly, one in five respondents who kept secrets discovered that their partners were also hiding something, with over half suspecting their partners of ongoing concealment.
The most common secrets include details about past relationships (26%), engaging in activities that might upset their partners (20%), and undisclosed spending habits (19%).
The survey, commissioned by Lemonade and conducted by OnePoll, delves into the common conversations and timelines couples engage in when moving in together. On average, most couples dated for about one and a half years before taking the plunge.
While some couples (31%) transition into living together gradually without a formal discussion, nearly a fifth (19%) express regrets about not discussing day-to-day and long-term finances beforehand.
Conversations about life goals (51%), work-life balance (45%), and relationships with each other's families (43%) are common among couples who did have pre-move-in discussions.
In terms of financial planning, both Gen Z (42%) and baby boomers (54%) top the charts, with millennials lagging (30%). Gen Z also leads in long-term financial planning (44%).
However, 40% of respondents across all generations feel the need for more discussions and planning on pragmatic matters such as insurance and budgets.
Planning for the future also involves considering pets, as 74% of cohabiting couples own pets. While 48% of couples acquired pets together, 35% had pets before their partners entered the scene.
For those who had pets before their partners, more than half (53%) required their pet's approval before moving in. Thankfully, most pets now enjoy the love of two parents, with 78% of solo pet owners claiming their partners now share pet-parenting responsibilities.
Source: SWNS
Photo: Getty