Leading sexologist Dr Nikki Goldstein reveals why MAFS relationship fail

Married At First Sight may be one of Australia’s most popular reality show franchises. 

But sexologist Dr Nikki Goldstein has exposed a fundamental problem in the show’s beloved commitment ceremonies. 

Each week in the social experiment, couples must decide whether they want to stay or leave the experiment. 

Revealed: Leading sexologist Dr Nikki Goldstein (pictured) has exposed a fundamental problem in the show’s beloved commitment ceremonies 

When one partner says they want to stay, both parties must remain on the show for another week  – even if the other party says they want to leave. 

According to Nikki, this can give rise to a toxic situation where incompatible couples are forced to stay together. 

‘The issue with some dating shows is that although it’s a show for entertainment, these are still real people with real issues and problems and sometimes the two don’t always go together in a safe way,’ she said. 

Rules: When one partner says they want to stay, both parties must remain on the show for another week - even if the other party says they want to leave. Pictured: MAFS experts Alessandra Rampolla, Mel Schilling, John Aiken

Rules: When one partner says they want to stay, both parties must remain on the show for another week – even if the other party says they want to leave. Pictured: MAFS experts Alessandra Rampolla, Mel Schilling, John Aiken

'These are still real people with real issues': According to Nikki, this can give rise to a toxic situation where incompatible couples are forced to stay together

‘These are still real people with real issues’: According to Nikki, this can give rise to a toxic situation where incompatible couples are forced to stay together 

‘I’m sure if people really needed to leave due to a safety risk or personal issue that they could, but what worries me is those who don’t know they really need to leave because people are telling them otherwise.’

She also said participants shouldn’t be encouraged to stay in the experiment if their relationship is leading down a dark path.

‘We have seen a lot of gaslighting in this series by men… We have to factor in that many women still have the attitude of not wanting to rock the boat, not wanting to be seen as causing too much trouble, an attitude that culturally needs to change.’

'We have seen a lot of gaslighting in this series by men': She also said participants shouldn't be encouraged to stay in the experiment if their relationship is leading down a dark path. Pictured: James Susler

‘We have seen a lot of gaslighting in this series by men’: She also said participants shouldn’t be encouraged to stay in the experiment if their relationship is leading down a dark path. Pictured: James Susler 

‘If a woman is not comfortable in a situation, it shouldn’t matter why, if she wants to leave, she should be able to and that is an attitude we need to promote to women more and more.’

Dr Nikki added: ‘I understand that it’s important to encourage participants to stay to work on their relationships for the show, but at what point does the ‘encouragement’ overshadow feelings of being uncomfortable and emotionally unsafe?’

‘When does the idea of airtime, fame and not letting down a production or breaching a contract push a woman to stay in relationship that is not ok? Should it be left up to someone else’s decision, or a right that everyone should have?’

Slammed: It comes after MAFS' Bryce Ruthven (left) was slammed on social media for his gaslighting behaviour towards 'wife' Melissa Rawson (right)

Slammed: It comes after MAFS’ Bryce Ruthven (left) was slammed on social media for his gaslighting behaviour towards ‘wife’ Melissa Rawson (right) 

It comes after MAFS’ Bryce Ruthven was slammed on social media for his gaslighting behaviour towards ‘wife’ Melissa Rawson. 

Tweets slamming producers also flooded in last week, after Melissa told the experts that she felt ‘frightened’ and ‘scared’ to rock the boat in her relationship even though Bryce had treated her with disrespect on multiple occasions. 

Leading the backlash against producers was Gogglebox star Yvie Jones, who claimed she found Melissa’s words ‘troubling’ and felt that producers should intervene.

Backlash: Tweets slamming producers also flooded in last week, after Melissa told the experts that she felt 'frightened' and 'scared' to rock the boat in her relationship even though Bryce had treated her with disrespect on multiple occasions

Backlash: Tweets slamming producers also flooded in last week, after Melissa told the experts that she felt ‘frightened’ and ‘scared’ to rock the boat in her relationship even though Bryce had treated her with disrespect on multiple occasions

‘Where is the duty of care from producers to even put her in that position? And if pap shots are correct, they’re still together,’ she Tweeted.

She continued in another Tweet: ‘So are they sitting at home watching this together? Is he seeing her say this on TV, alone in their shared home? Is he gaslighting her right now?’

Elsewhere, another Twitter user wrote: ‘It makes me sick watching this insidious relationship unfold… The producers have created a f**king abhorrent narrative between Bryce and Melissa.’

'Where is the duty of care from producers?' Leading the backlash against producers was Gogglebox star Yvie Jones (pictured), who claimed she found Melissa's words 'troubling' and felt that producers should intervene

‘Where is the duty of care from producers?’ Leading the backlash against producers was Gogglebox star Yvie Jones (pictured), who claimed she found Melissa’s words ‘troubling’ and felt that producers should intervene