I tend to overgeneralize/maxim-ize, and I agree, it sounds scorched earth. I'm sure 2 adults who are good communicators would be able to make a much better go of it.

However, it seems like most people don't know what they want, don't know how to communicate what they want. they have to be helped along the way or smacked over the head, ditched, picked up, and then there's those people who are really scorched earth and should probably be avoided.

I do tend to think even things like "love" could be reduced to prioritization. And priorities get reprioritized. Maybe when 2 people both mutually prioritize each other over everything else...

all this to say, you're right, it prob wasn't worth having it in the first place.