Can a marriage divided by politics be saved?

You have promised to love and cherish until you die, but is there an increasing amount of political views being used in “for better or worse”?

In a country that is increasingly biased than vaccines and abortion rights Climate changegun control, immigration, the economy, is said a lot about maintaining harmony at the Thanksgiving table. But what happens when partisan tension spills into the bedroom marriage?

My friend recently sought my advice on how to navigate my husband’s increasingly extreme ideological views. She tried to deal with the issue with the bandits by blocking him from meeting her activists. Social Media Post. She said, “I explained to him that I shouldn’t. fear Doing what I think is important causes debate. I just want to do my part to educate people. ”

When political differences begin to define marriage, how do couples avoid landmines inherent in determining which news channels to watch and comment on current headlines?

It is estimated that 30% of couples are in relationships where political views are not shared. This can lead to conflict anxietyEven the simple act of turning on the TV can be fueled anger. Often there is a debate about which news channels were seen, which news and other sources were reliable, and which news channels were intensely viewed. It could also increase competition if one partner perceives as being wary of a problem, while the other partner is indifferent and there is a response that is less or less concerned.

Younger relationships have shown that couples can use early political conflicts to encourage discussion, negotiation and potential integrity. However, such open debates tend to be more challenging during periods of intense political upheaval. In a more stable period, when the interests are low, it is easier to relax, find common ground, or simply agree to oppose it.

Power dynamics are often revealed when couples try to resolve political conflicts. Research shows that when one partner speaks up more dominant and politically, less dominant spouses are consistent from respect, respect, or simply desire to avoid disagreement. I did. Couples with a more egalitarian dynamic face are a bigger challenge as they try to influence or change their partner.

What can you do?

Decide what’s more important. Determine your marriage and your political views. Couples that prioritize relationships Politics They tend to navigate conflicts more effectively. This must reflect how deeply their political beliefs are tied to their core values ​​and whether they can coexist with mutual respect in partnerships where views differ significantly. Identify where politics is ranked alongside priorities such as family; Careercouple’s satisfaction.

Identify your tolerance for conflict and engage in difficult conversations. Together with your spouse, decide whether it is possible to reach a shared understanding through compromise.

Appreciate comfort by having difficult conversations. Together, we determine whether we can find a common foundation by compromise.

During the conflict, we look back at what attracted you to each other. Political different couples often share deep emotional bonds and have important compatibility. A sense of humorpowerful physical charmor common interests such as sports, fitness, literature, travel. Keep focusing on these basic aspects of your relationship.

Think about whether discussing your differences could strengthen your relationship. Deep discussions provide an intellectual exploration of how and why certain views have been more deeply accepted, or how one’s political ideology has evolved. Respectful conversations can lead to a deeper understanding of how each partner has changed over time.

Here are some prompts to help guide your discussion:

1. What core values ​​do our different political views reflect?
2. How did our life experiences have influenced these political views?
3. Our political ideology has changed over the years, and if so, why?
4. Are there any policies and issues we agree to?
5. When discussing current events, how can you honorably navigate the differences?
6. Are there any news sources that we both trust?

Navigating political differences can be a minefield, even with the best intentions. A strong marriage is worth the effort, and the open mind, those who are trying to understand rather than judgement, can restore harmony.

And if everything else fails, watching the news in another room is a completely good solution!