“The View” co-hosts recently engaged in quite the lively discussion about marriage, with one particularly intriguing question: Is it ever OK to suddenly request a nonromantic partnership from your spouse? Co-host Joy Behar doesn’t think so.

During a segment of the daytime show on Wednesday, moderator Whoopi Goldberg kicked off the topic by sharing a story from an online forum in which a woman said her husband of six years had suddenly told her that he was no longer interested in a romantic relationship with her. The author of the post also noted that her husband wanted to remain married and still live with her.

Behar quickly suspected that there was much more behind the story.

“I mean, the guy either has a sidepiece, or he’s in the closet or something ... or he’s acting out somehow,” she said. “What man turns down sex — very few.”

“He’s asking for a roommate,” co-host Sunny Hostin chimed in, as the panel debated what might be behind the husband’s request.

Behar then called the husband a “loser” for potentially causing harm to his wife’s self-esteem because he “doesn’t even want to kiss her,” she said.

“Maybe he has ED [erectile dysfunction] and doesn’t want to admit it,” Behar later scoffed. (Check out a video clip of the segment below.)

But Monica Cwynar, a licensed clinical social worker with Thriveworks in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — who specializes in relationship issues, stress and major life transitions — said that the idea of a nonromantic marriage is actually “an emerging trend.”

“I’ve encountered several nonromantic arrangements in my practice,” she said. “One partner may feel content with the emotional aspects of their relationship, while the other may yearn for more physical intimacy, leading to a disconnect.”

Cwynar said that the discussion on “The View” is reflective of some of the experiences she’s encountered in her practice, which often highlight “the complexities of love, desire and fulfillment in relationships, where partners might struggle to balance emotional closeness with physical needs.”

Read on to hear more on what you should know about nonromantic marriages and things couples should consider about this approach.

Is there a healthy way to transition a previously romantic marriage to a nonromantic union?

Cwynar thinks that a transition to a nonromantic marriage can have its challenges.

“If both partners agree to it and acknowledge their emotional and physical needs, it can work,” she said. “However, it requires ongoing dialogue and compromise.”

And as for whether a nonromantic marriage is grounds for separation, Cwynar said it all depends on the couple’s “unique circumstances.”

“For individuals who feel content in the marriage overall but are missing physical intimacy, it’s important to consider how that might impact that contentment long term and if what seeking it elsewhere will do to the relationship,” she said. “If both partners can maintain emotional support while addressing their needs, staying together is certainly viable.”

“However, if one partner feels neglected or dissatisfied, separation might be a healthier choice,” she continued.

What are some common roadblocks for keeping romance alive in marriages?

Cwynar said that daily stressors, such as work, parenting and other responsibilities, can often “divert attention from nurturing romance,” which can lead to emotional and physical distance.

She also added that complacency, communication gaps and changes in priorities can affect a couple’s romantic connection.

“As individuals evolve, their desires may change, leading to mismatched expectations if partners do not adapt together,” she said.

For couples looking for ways to improve the romance in their relationship, Cwynar recommends trying different methods, such as having intentional date nights, doing spontaneous surprises or gestures that can help “reignite excitement,” displaying physical affection and making efforts to engage in shared interests or hobbies, among other things.

What are signs that a romantic connection in a marriage is perhaps gone for good?

“Some of the signs that the romantic element of a relationship is gone for good is when physical intimacy is completely absent and partners do not even engage in affectionate behaviors; when conversations become superficial and partners feel more like roommates and the manifestation of resentment,” Cwynar said.

She explained that while a nonromantic marriage may work for some couples, she advises that couples approach that arrangement with thoughtful and clear communication.

“Ultimately, maintaining romance and emotional connection requires consistent effort, adaptability, and a commitment to mutual growth,” she added.