Types Of Relationships That Are Definitely Happening But People Are Too Embarrassed To Talk About
The thing about relationships is that they are intimate and personal. Some people choose to keep their relationships completely private, especially if they go against the traditional idea of what an "acceptable" relationship is.
Even if you don't see them openly in your life, the following types of relationships definitely exist and some of them are thriving and healthy.
People Keep Their Relationships Private Out Of Fear Of Judgment
The reasons that people don't talk about their relationships may vary. Some people may be genuinely fearful of judgment and decide to keep things on the down-low.
![Couple In Doorway Couple in doorway, woman drinks tea, another woman sits on chair](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Couple-In-Doorway-42707.jpg?width=800&height=1200)
Others may be unsure how exactly to bring it up and as more time passes they just never do.
Society Tends To Make Assumptions About People In Non-Traditional Relationships
It's easy for people in heterosexual monogamous (straight, single partner) relationships to be shocked by some of the choices that others make in their love lives.
![Couple In Kitchen Tattooed man kisses woman seated on kitchen counter](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Couple-In-Kitchen-34974.jpg?width=800&height=1200)
People may make assumptions based on what they think are "acceptable" or normal relationships in society.
These Relationships Are Not Often Celebrated In The Open
Just because they are not often celebrated out in the open doesn't mean that these different types of relationships don't exist.
![Male Couple In Kitchen Couple older man and younger man in kitchen](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Male-Couple-In-Kitchen-54572.jpg?width=800&height=534)
Here are some of the types of relationships that people tend to keep under wraps, for whatever reason.
A Couple In A Sexless Marriage
When people hear that a couple is in a "sexless" marriage, they have a tendency to assume the relationship is terrible or broken.
![Senior Couple Senior couple laughing sitting outdoors](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Senior-Couple-20660.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=276&left=0&zoom=0.666666666667)
It's easy to make the assumption that a marriage without sex is also a marriage without happiness or intimacy.
A Sexless Marriage Is Not A Loveless One
The reality is, as people age, so does their marriage. Some couples choose to stay together for the benefit of their children, finances, extended families, mutual interests, and/or life goals.
![Couple At Yoga Couple sit on yoga mat laughing](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Couple-At-Yoga-49136.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=192&left=0&zoom=0.666666666667)
There are a thousand reasons why people choose to stay in a marriage, especially if there is still love and respect between the two people involved—even if sex is no longer a core element in their marriage.
Alternative Lifestyle Relationships
Alternative lifestyle relationships are less discussed because they're specifically influenced by people's sexual preferences, which isn't exactly something that comes up in casual conversation.
![Couple On Couch Couple on couch looks out window](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Couple-On-Couch-55529.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=375&left=0&zoom=0.666666666667)
These types of relationships include couples who identify as swingers, polyamorous, and also people who are drawn to partners because of mutual kinks.
People Who Are Involved In A Throuple
The idea of a "throuple" is starting to trickle into mainstream media a little bit more, but it's still fairly "taboo" among the average crowd of people.
![Throuple Three people share breakfast in bed](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Throuple-25396.jpg?width=800&height=533)
Judgment mostly stems from people's ignorance and lack of willingness to learn what a throuple relationship actually looks like and why people may choose to be in one.
Throuples Can Form For A Variety Of Reasons
Not all throuple relationships are actually sexual in nature, but there is usually a sexual element between at least two partners. Gay and lesbian couples may form a long-term emotional relationship with a person of the opposite sex to have children and raise a family.
![Woman and Child In Bed Mom and daughter in bed with mugs](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Woman-and-Child-In-Bed-93397.jpg)
All parents live under the same roof in a functioning relationship, but it's not a sexual relationship.
Partners In Platonic (Mutually Beneficial) Relationships
Platonic marriages are an arrangement that is hard to understand if you've never talked to someone who is in one.
![Couples Outdoors Four friends sitting outdoors in the sun](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Couples-Outdoors-88668.jpg)
They are a bit different than a sexless marriage because the platonic relationship was never a romantic or intimate relationship from the beginning.
Platonic Marriages Are Often Born Out Of Necessity, Not Love
In a platonic marriage, the couple may have wed for tax benefits or for immigration purposes like a green card marriage.
![Couple Married Couple standing after wedding](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Couple-Married-45459.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=171&left=0&zoom=0.666666666667)
Some couples know that it's easier to navigate certain parts of life like signing a mortgage or lease when you have a legal partner. For example, landlords may be less likely to rent to two single people with children but more likely to rent to a married couple with a blended family of kids.
A Platonic Marriage Could Be For Adoption Purposes
Sometimes platonic friends get married with the intention of adopting children together. The adoption process is much easier when the adopting parents have two stable incomes and a permanent home address.
![Adoption Man and woman sitting at desk across from woman pointing to a sheet of paper](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Adoption-48918.jpg)
Instead of explaining their non-intimate relationship with their social circle, it's easier to just not discuss it.
Sugar Daddies And Sugar Babies
Sugar daddies (or sugar mommas) and their "sugar babies" are a lot more common than most people think.
![Age Gap Couple YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES - JUNE 23, 2019 - Mark Nichols, 56, dating 23-year-old Kayleb Alexander. The pair met on a gay dating app after Kayleb had been kicked out of his accommodation. Despite the 33-year age gap between the couple, they have recently celebrated their 6-year anniversary by buying a house together in Hawaii.](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Age-Gap-Couple-52527.jpg?width=800&height=425)
Sex work is becoming more accepted as a legitimate line of work but it still faces massive social stigma and misconceptions. Sugar babies take sex work a step further by establishing an emotional and often long-term relationship with a single partner who also supports them financially.
Sugar Baby Arrangements Can Be Mutually Beneficial When They Work Out
Nowadays, many divorcees, widowers, bachelors, and even people in long-term marriages seek the comfort of another companion, one who is often younger (but not always).
!['I Fell In Love With My Sugar Daddy' CINCINNATI, OHIO, UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 23, 2019 - Couple Grant Numrich and Sabrina Barnett, 39 year age gap. Sabrina, age 21, is studying psychology with a minor in art therapy at college; 60-year-old Grant is semi-retired. The unlikely pair met through a dating website that pairs sugar daddies with sugar babies but both claim that what began as a strictly financial situation has turned into something more romantic - although that doesn't stop people from assuming Sabrina is only in it for the money.](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/i-fell-in-love-with-my-sugar-daddy.-10298.jpeg?width=800&height=533)
These people don't have the time and energy to maintain significant relationships but are willing to compensate sugar babies nicely for the time and company they provide. It usually ends up being a long-term, mutually beneficial situation when it works out.
People In Age Gap Relationships
The concept of older men dating younger women is nothing new, just take a quick look at Hollywood to see an example (@tomcruise, @leodicaprio, @scottdisick, @jakegyllenhaal, @johnmayer, the list goes on).
![37 Year Age Gap Couple Couple with an age gap of 37 years, Julia and Eileen have recently tied the knot and are now preparing for their first big adventure as a married couple](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/37-Year-Age-Gap-Couple-70496.jpeg?width=800&height=601)
For some people, age really is just a number and it doesn't bother them to date outside of their own decade. So why keep it a secret?
People Are Quick To Pass Judgment On Couples Who Have Large Age Gaps
The age-gap relationship (regardless of whether the man or woman is older) tends to be a weird concept for a lot of people to understand.
![27-Year-Old Woman, 57-Year-Old Man Recently Engaged FEBRUARY 15, 2020 - Ashley Kilpatrick and Keith Richoux pose for the camera. Fiances Keith Richoux and Ashley Kilpatrick are different in a lot of ways: he's 57 and a widower, she's 27 and mum to a four-year-old](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/27-Year-Old-Woman-57-Year-Old-Man-Recently-Engaged-89381.jpeg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=60&left=44&zoom=0.740740740741)
Usually, people assume that someone in the relationship has "daddy/mommy issues" or is going through some kind of a phase which is certainly not always the case.
People In Age Gap Relationships Often Keep Their Love Life Private
Age gap relationships occur between two parties who are mature, consenting adults who have chosen the partner that makes them happiest.
![30 Year Age Gap Couple 30 Year Age Gap Couple Reveal Baby Surprise ***Age-gap married couple Mindy, 27, and Larry Mikla, 57, at the scene of her car crash where they first met when Larry was the responding police officer](https://www.thecouplething.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/30-Year-Age-Gap-Couple-74878.jpeg)
Still, it's not a relationship that is widely accepted and as a result, many people in age gap relationships choose to keep their love life private.