We Can’t Overlook These Warning Signs in Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker’s Relationship

Kourtney Kardashian’s relationship with Travis Barker escalated quickly. Reportedly, the pair had been friends for years before their connection turned romantic, which could help to explain why they went from romance rumors to married in under four years. But while the pair may have laid a healthy foundation before they hit fast-forward on romance, they showed warning signs of pre-mature intimacy. Rapidly progressing relationships — especially when the couple hurries into serious commitments — can mean trouble down the road.

That’s because rushing too quickly, while it might feel good at the time, can cause couples to overlook incompatibilities. Rather than taking the time to understand the other person, jumping quickly into commitment can signal that partners are more attached to the idea of the other person, and haven’t had the chance to test for different approaches to conflict and connection. The fact that Kardashian and Barker’s relationship progressed quickly isn’t a bad sign in and of itself, but it could mean potential problems lurking beneath the surface.

Kourtney Kardashian is part of a famously close family, and anyone in a relationship with her is inevitably connected to her large, public family. That’s why rumors of tension between Travis Barker and the larger Kardashian clan may not be a great sign for the longevity of this couple’s union.

While Barker appears to have a strong connection with Kardashian’s children — she shares three kids with her ex-boyfriend, Scott Disick — rumors suggest he does not get along as well with her sisters, which has fueled a growing rift between Kardashian and her family. “While there’s been tension for years, the heart of the matter is the family doesn’t really like Travis,” an insider source told Life & Style. “Some of them tolerate him more than others, and some are less outspoken, but they all share an opinion that Kourtney is not the same person since getting together with Travis, and they don’t like it.” Kardashian has been vocal about distancing herself from her famous family in recent years, so whether the divide has been decades coming or whether it’s because of Barker remains unclear. Either way, a relationship that pulls either partner away from their existing social network and support systems can be a red flag for an unhealthy controlling dynamic.

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker’s romantic relationship has been intense since they confirmed they were a couple in 2021. They quickly shot to fame for their passionate public displays of affection, including lots of tongue and butt-grabbing. Kardashian is regularly photographed hanging on Barker, looking smitten, and the couple have not been shy about kissing for the cameras, both in paparazzi shots and in shots posted to Instagram. In January 2022, Barker shared an Instagram photo of Kardashian with the caption “I Would Die 4 U,” to which she replied, “You, I would die for you.” Of course, we love to see Kardashian finding hot and heavy romance in her forties, especially in a post-Scott Disick timeline.

That said, the intense displays of affection could be a red flag. If the couple is passionate in front of the cameras, it could hint that their relationship is emotionally intense behind the scenes. While dramatic romance can initially feel good, it can hint at an inability to regulate emotions and can lead to possessiveness, control, or even more overt forms of abuse.

It’s hard to miss that Kourtney Kardashian’s lifestyle has been influenced by her relationship with Travis Barker. From her new predilection for leather and skeletons to the edgy styling of their Italian wedding, fans have noted that Barker’s preferences seem to dominate the couple’s life. While it’s good to be influenced by your partner — and you should date someone whose preferences appeal to you — one partner disproportionately adopting the taste of another partner can be a red flag for controlling behavior. While it’s possible that Kardashian is just on board with Barker’s way of life, it could also signal that Barker wields more power in the couple’s dynamic, especially since Barker appeared to exhibit controlling tendencies in his previous relationship with Shanna Moakler, according to some fans.

Of course, while there are some warning signs that Barker could be controlling, Kardashian benefits from a couple of attributes that put her at less risk. First, Kardashian is well into middle age and just three years younger than Barker — which means she had significant life and relationship experience; she’s simply less vulnerable than if she were, say, eighteen years younger than Barker. Second, Kardashian is wealthy on her own, which means she’s not financially dependent on Barker. Both of these qualities mean she’s not susceptible to common dynamics that can entrap women in controlling relationships.