Emily Ratajkowski’s Marriage Falls Apart: Why Do Relationships FAIL After Kids?

Her recent essay reflects a common story: the arrival of a child triggers a seismic shift in dynamics, often amplifying pre-existing issues like unequal emotional and physical labor, sleep deprivation, and loss of couple identity. Research consistently shows relationship satisfaction drops sharply for many new parents—particularly mothers—due to exhaustion, resentment over uneven workloads, and the challenge of balancing romance with relentless caregiving demands.