Editing Breakup (section)

{{Short description|Termination of an intimate relationship}}
{{Redirect|Break up|other uses|Break Up (disambiguation){{!}}Break Up}}
{{Merge from|Interpersonal communication relationship dissolution|discuss=Talk:Breakup#Proposed merge of Interpersonal communication relationship dissolution into Breakup|date=October 2024}}
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[[File:Breakup-908714 1280.jpg|thumb|A photo resembling a breakup of a [[heterosexual]] relationship]]
{{Close Relationships}}
A '''relationship breakup''', '''breakup''',<ref>{{cite web| url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/breakup?s=t|title=Breakup|publisher=Dictionary.com|access-date=2012-05-28}}</ref> or '''break-up'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lexico.com/definition/break-up |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129120815/https://www.lexico.com/definition/break-up |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |title=BREAK-UP &#124; Meaning & Definition for UK English |publisher=Lexico.com |date= |accessdate=2022-08-24}}</ref> is the ending of a [[Interpersonal relationship|relationship]]. The act is commonly termed "dumping [someone]" in slang when it is initiated by one partner.<ref>{{cite web|title=dump {{!}} meaning of dump in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English {{!}} LDOCE|url=https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/dump|access-date=2020-07-22|website=www.ldoceonline.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=DUMP (verb) definition and synonyms {{!}} Macmillan Dictionary|url=https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/dump_1|access-date=2020-07-22|website=www.macmillandictionary.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Dump definition and meaning {{!}} Collins English Dictionary|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/dump|access-date=2020-07-22|website=www.collinsdictionary.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=DUMP {{!}} meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary|url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/dump|access-date=2020-07-22|website=dictionary.cambridge.org|language=en}}</ref> The term is less likely to be applied to a [[marriage|married couple]], where a breakup is typically called a [[Legal separation|separation]] or [[divorce]]. When a couple engaged to be married breaks up, it is typically called a "broken engagement". People commonly think of breakups in a [[Romance (love)|romantic]] aspect, however, there are also non-romantic and platonic breakups, and this type of relationship dissolution is usually caused by failure to maintain a [[friendship]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2021-04-26 |title=11.2: Friendships |url=https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Introduction_to_Communication/Communicating_to_Connect_-_Interpersonal_Communication_for_Today_(Usera)/11%3A_Issues_in_Relationships/11.02%3A_Friendships |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Social Sci LibreTexts |language=en}}</ref>

[[Susie Orbach]] (1992) has argued that the dissolution of dating and cohabiting relationships can be as painful as or more painful than divorce because these nonmarital relationships are less socially recognized.<ref>John H. Harvey, ''Perspectives on Loss'' (1998) p. 106</ref>

Kamiar-K. Rueckert argues with the works of [[Donald Winnicott]] that the ability to be alone is an essentially healthy sign of emotional development and maturity. Once a child has obtained closeness and attachment by their early caregivers, they are able to develop autonomy and identity. If children have not introjected the good and protective qualities of their parents, they will fear separation and break-ups.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kamiar-K. Rückert|title=Essay on Separation|url=https://www.theviennapsychoanalyst.at/index.php?wbkat=8&wbid=1105|website=www.theviennapsychoanalyst.at|access-date=2018-06-24|archive-date=2018-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624150708/https://www.theviennapsychoanalyst.at/index.php?wbkat=8&wbid=1105|url-status=dead}}</ref>