Disregarding the question but commenting on the material, I don’t think this is generally true. In labeling something as forever upfront (e.g., marriage, which generally includes a “forever clause”), it’s only natural though.

Contrast marriage with a “summer fling” — the expectation is a duration of at most one summer. Not really considered a failure (which is kinda the plot of Grease, dated though that may be…)

There was a great restaurant near me (Michelin star), and it closed a while back — the owner was upfront that he just had a kid and wanted to spend more time together. I don’t think anyone views that as a failure. A loss for the community, definitely, but not a failure.