I was married to my ex husband for 21 years. I’s say that was a long term commitment. He beat the hell out of me all durring that “long term commitment”. I could’t leave. I was 1000 miles from my family, 4 kids, no job, no money, no place to go and was emotionally beat down and scared to death to leave. Back then, there was no such thing as crises centers and such. You were on your own. But I did have a long term relationship.
point taken. however there are a few more factors in your equation here. you had kids to consider, no money, and you were a long way from home. this makes for a shitty time of things, no doubt. the two people we are discussing have none of these factors to consider. i am recently separated from a woman i was married to for 10 years. i was pretty unhappy but tried to make things work for the kids. i was deeply committed, and yet had i not had the kids to consider i would have been out of there long long ago.