That I do agree with generally. I opted for brevity in my article (and comment) over articulating the finer points.

Where I'm uncertain is in cases of marriage or long-term intimate relationships. Perhaps it's my naive approach to it but if there is a problem of effort - or any problem at all in the relationship - that it would be talked about. Even though vows have been made and children as well, there would at least be a discussion. For example, a few months ago, a couple who are my parent's next door neighbours are getting divorced. The kids are all grown up at this point and the two talked and realized the love isn't there any longer and have decided to separate once the kids have all been sorted out. I don't think the relationship was toxic (both of them seemed happy when I talked to them whenever I saw them), but they knew something between them wasn't going to work.

The thing is, not every marriage is like that. There are toxic marriages or it becomes a toxic marriage. Even when there are kids involved and vows are made, trying to end things may be the best possible way. It's not easy obviously, and I'm not saying to drop everything at the first sign of decline, but after a period (like several months depending on the severity) of putting in time to making things work and getting nowhere, I feel that things would need to change and it's not worth it to stay in a marriage where it's endangering one's own life and the source is their partner.