In a study published by the journal Computers in Human Behavior, 73% of survey respondents reported having more than one back-burner relationship. In addition, they found that of the subjects who were in committed partnerships, 56% still confessed to having a backup love interest. It's not surprising how common this sort of deceptive habit is. We're all human, meaning we're prone to worrying about the future and the possibility of being alone. If it was entirely ethical, having some backup romantic attention would sound like a pretty attractive option.
Dating coach Hayley Quin explains this behavior to Stylist, saying, "If you're single, you may want to keep the possibility of reconnecting with someone open as it feels nicer to have an option than no one at all. If you're in a relationship, keeping contact with a past partner or crush could also be a way of not placing all your eggs in one basket." However, whatever your reason for keeping a back-burner relationship, it's likely healthiest for you and the other person involved to let it go.
