{"id":111586,"date":"2026-02-25T11:00:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T11:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/?p=111586"},"modified":"2026-02-25T16:56:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T16:56:36","slug":"why-they-keep-you-around-but-wont-commit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/why-they-keep-you-around-but-wont-commit\/","title":{"rendered":"Why They Keep You Around (But Won&#8217;t Commit)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">From the text that comes just as you were moving on, the sporadic likes, and the plans that never materialize, the world of modern <\/span><b>dating<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> has been marked, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">a form of courtship involving social interaction and activities that might evolve into an exclusive relationship between two people<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">In the 21st century dating has changed exponentially due to something we use: everyday <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sophy.love\/2024\/08\/09\/the-future-of-romance-from-courtship-to-dating-apps\/#:~:text=Yet%2C%20as%20our%20lives%20became,facilitated%20and%20complicated%20by%20technology.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">technology<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. The replacement of <\/span><b>courtship<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">a series of interactions between a couple that involves parental approval and rules of behavior, with the stated goal of marriage<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sophy.love\/2024\/08\/09\/the-future-of-romance-from-courtship-to-dating-apps\/#:~:text=Yet%2C%20as%20our%20lives%20became,facilitated%20and%20complicated%20by%20technology.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">algorithms in dating apps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> has led to people hiding behind a screen rather than <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sophy.love\/2024\/08\/09\/the-future-of-romance-from-courtship-to-dating-apps\/#:~:text=Yet%2C%20as%20our%20lives%20became,facilitated%20and%20complicated%20by%20technology.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">finding the balance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> between traditional courtship and modern technology.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">In traditional courtship, when you lose attraction or realize someone is not the perfect match, individuals go through a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/daily.jstor.org\/the-complex-history-of-american-dating\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">form of separation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, such as a breakup or divorce. This new universal dating experience has devolved into a lack of <\/span><b>commitment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">a promise of dedication to a relationship in which there is an emotional attachment to another person who has made the same promise<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">People usually <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ifstudies.org\/blog\/what-ever-happened-to-dating-the-rise-of-just-talking-relationships\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">hold back from commitment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> for a few main reasons. Maybe they&#8217;re afraid of being rejected. Or they&#8217;re still hoping to find someone better by building a \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/a-funny-bone-to-pick\/202307\/the-new-benching-dating-trend\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">roster<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.\u201d Sometimes, they just want to connect with someone without all the baggage of a full-blown relationship, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/basics\/breadcrumbing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">leading them to keep you around<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. If you have been in the modern dating scene, this may feel all too familiar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">While the lack of commitment feels personal, this behavior is often less about you and more about the perpetrator\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/moments-that-matter\/201612\/why-some-people-just-wont-commit\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">psychological deficits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> \u2014 ranging from deep insecurity to a simple lack of courage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">What It Actually Looks Like<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-111587\" src=\"http:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/pexels-aysenaz-bilgin-421884106-18221583-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/pexels-aysenaz-bilgin-421884106-18221583-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/pexels-aysenaz-bilgin-421884106-18221583-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/pexels-aysenaz-bilgin-421884106-18221583-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/pexels-aysenaz-bilgin-421884106-18221583-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/pexels-aysenaz-bilgin-421884106-18221583-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>In modern dating, you tend to hear two terms that encompass the actions a person takes when they <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ifstudies.org\/blog\/what-ever-happened-to-dating-the-rise-of-just-talking-relationships\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">hold back from commitment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> and won\u2019t let you go: they are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/basics\/breadcrumbing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">breadcrumbing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/a-funny-bone-to-pick\/202307\/the-new-benching-dating-trend\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">benching<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. The two sound like what they are. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/basics\/breadcrumbing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Breadcrumbing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> is the little \u201ccrumbs\u201d of attention a person gives someone to keep them interested without the intent to commit. While the other term may remind you of sports, in dating, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/a-funny-bone-to-pick\/202307\/the-new-benching-dating-trend\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">benching<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> occurs when someone is placed on a \u201croster\u201d as a backup option while pursuing others.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Breadcrumbing Signs<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Have you ever received the random \u201cHey\u201d or \u201cThinking of you\u201d text, but when you reply, there is no follow-up? This is one of the most <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/basics\/breadcrumbing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">common examples<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> of breadcrumbing. Ever wondered why someone ignores your messages but will engage with your social media page (liking stories or posts, for example)? Yep, you guessed it; you&#8217;re receiving someone&#8217;s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/basics\/breadcrumbing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u201ccrumbs\u201d of affection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. Now is my personal favorite, when someone talks about making vague plans (\u201cLet\u2019s hang out soon\u201d), but you never receive a date or time. Say it with me now\u2026 You\u2019re getting <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/basics\/breadcrumbing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">breadcrumbed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Benching Signs<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Now on to the most popular sporting event, modern dating. Have you ever had someone disappear when they meet someone else, only to reappear when that fizzles out (many famous <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/photos\/football-stars-who-returned-home-0ap2000000364304#:~:text=San%20Francisco%2049ers:%201986%2D1991,Marcio%20Jose%20Sanchez\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">football players<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">)? Then, odds are you got <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/a-funny-bone-to-pick\/202307\/the-new-benching-dating-trend\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">benched<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> for this game. Wondered why some interactions are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/a-funny-bone-to-pick\/202307\/the-new-benching-dating-trend\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">high-effort but inconsistent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">? Congratulations! You\u2019ve become the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/second-string\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">second string<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. Now here\u2019s where we see food and support collide. Met someone who keeps the connection just enough so you can\u2019t move on? You know what\u2019s coming\u2026 You\u2019ve been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/a-funny-bone-to-pick\/202307\/the-new-benching-dating-trend\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">benched<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> and breadcrumbed!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Now, a question remains: why is this such a universal experience?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The Core Question: Malice or Fear?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Since we have learned two of the more popular methods of avoiding commitment, why not dive into the possible reasons why?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Option A: The Narcissistic Supply (Malice)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-111588\" src=\"http:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/pexels-itzel-ameyelli-58132452-11049560-183x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"183\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/pexels-itzel-ameyelli-58132452-11049560-183x300.jpg 183w, https:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/pexels-itzel-ameyelli-58132452-11049560-625x1024.jpg 625w, https:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/pexels-itzel-ameyelli-58132452-11049560-768x1258.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/pexels-itzel-ameyelli-58132452-11049560-938x1536.jpg 938w, https:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/pexels-itzel-ameyelli-58132452-11049560-1250x2048.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/uitac.com\/inthenewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/pexels-itzel-ameyelli-58132452-11049560-scaled.jpg 1563w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 183px) 100vw, 183px\" \/>For those with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/mental-health\/am-i-dating-a-narcissist\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">narcissistic traits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, attention and control are a currency (\u201csupply\u201d). They don\u2019t want you; they want your attention and admiration. Keeping someone on the hook provides them with a sense of power and ensures they never have to be alone. How can someone be okay with doing this to others? A truly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/mental-health\/am-i-dating-a-narcissist\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">narcissistic dater<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> does not calculate the emotional cost to the person they are seeing. They simply prioritize their need for validation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Option B: The Avoidant Attacher (Fear)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Fear of confrontation affects a lot of people. Many people bench others simply because they are terrified of the \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/narcissism-demystified\/202309\/5-signs-of-dismissive-avoidant-attachment-in-dating-profiles\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">I\u2019m not interested<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u201d conversation. They hope you will get the hint so they don\u2019t have to be the \u201cbad guy.\u201d This is referred to as the \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nice_guy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">nice person<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u201d syndrome. Individuals may think they are being nice by \u201cletting you down easy\u201d (slow fade), but they are actually inflicting a slow, painful confusion on the other person.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Ambivalence is another thing that affects various individuals. A person may genuinely like you, but having an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/narcissism-demystified\/202309\/5-signs-of-dismissive-avoidant-attachment-in-dating-profiles\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">avoidant attachment style<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> triggers anxiety when people get too close. They pull away to feel safe, then reach out when they feel lonely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Option C: The Paradox of Choice (FOMO)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/gramercypsychologicalservices.com\/2024\/03\/18\/the-paradox-of-choice-navigating-the-complex-world-of-dating\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">digital supermarket<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> in the age of dating apps leads to a pervasive fear that a \u201cbetter\u201d partner is just one swipe away. Benching is commonly used when someone is experiencing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/gramercypsychologicalservices.com\/2024\/03\/18\/the-paradox-of-choice-navigating-the-complex-world-of-dating\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">the paradox of choice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. This method helps keep multiple options open to hedge their bets against rejection or settling.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">What should you do?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">There are many things you can do to get <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thoughtcatalog.com\/sabrina-bendory\/2024\/10\/hes-being-hot-cold-reasons-why-what-to-do\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">clarity for yourself<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. One method is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thoughtcatalog.com\/sabrina-bendory\/2024\/10\/hes-being-hot-cold-reasons-why-what-to-do\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u201ccall out\u201d method<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">; this is when you send a direct message to force their hand. An example message could be \u201cI\u2019ve enjoyed getting to know you, but I\u2019m looking for consistency. Since our communication is sporadic, I\u2019m going to step back.\u201d You can also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thoughtcatalog.com\/sabrina-bendory\/2024\/10\/hes-being-hot-cold-reasons-why-what-to-do\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">match the energy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> you are receiving from them. Some examples of this are to stop responding to low-effort \u201ccrumbs.\u201d You could also just not reply when they ask a question or suggest a plan. Lastly is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thoughtcatalog.com\/sabrina-bendory\/2024\/10\/hes-being-hot-cold-reasons-why-what-to-do\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u201czero tolerance\u201d policy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> and deleting their number\/contact to remove any excitement you see when their name pops up. No matter what, remember: you are not a backup plan, and you do not survive on crumbs.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Podvorec is a guest blogger at <a href=\"https:\/\/uitac.com\/\">UITAC Publishing<\/a>. UITAC\u2019s mission is to provide high-quality, affordable, and socially responsible online course materials.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Images used in this blog:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/man-wearing-black-zip-jacket-holding-smartphone-surrounded-by-grey-concrete-buildings-775091\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Man Wearing Black Zip Jacket Holding Smartphone Surrounded by Grey Concrete Buildings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u201d by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/@olly\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Andrea Piacquadio<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> on Pexels licensed under <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/license\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Free Use<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. This image has not been altered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/bench-in-the-park-18221583\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Bench in the Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u201d by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/@aysenaz-bilgin-421884106\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Ay\u015fenaz Bilgin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Pexels<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> licensed under <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/license\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Free Use<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. This image has not been altered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/photograph-of-a-woman-in-a-sweatshirt-covering-her-face-11049560\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Photograph of a Woman in a Sweatshirt Covering Her Face<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u201d by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/@itzel-ameyelli-58132452\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Itzel Ameyelli<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Pexels<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> licensed under <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/license\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Free Use<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. This image has not been altered.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From the text that comes just as you were moving on, the sporadic likes, and the plans that never materialize, the world of modern dating has been marked, a form of courtship involving social interaction and activities that might evolve into an exclusive relationship between two people.\u00a0 In the 21st century dating has changed exponentially [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1267,"featured_media":111589,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[78,70],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-111586","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marriage-and-family","category-social-interactions"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - 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