Dating and Relationship

Archive for the ‘Conflict’ Category

Anyone who has interactions with other people is going to experience conflict. It is an inevitable aspect of human relations. However, the type of conflict experienced in a relationship and how it is handled are among the determining factors in a relationship’s strength and promise.

Relationship conflicts can occur in all types of relationships, including parent/child, friendships and romantic relationships.

Definition

A relationship conflict is a struggle, disagreement, argument or debate that takes place between two people within a relationship. For example, a conflict with your fiancé over wedding planning details is a relationship conflict.

How you address, assess and solve relationship conflicts determines whether the relationship is healthy or unhealthy.

Facts

Relationship conflicts may help to make relationships strong or they might destroy them. Essentially, conflicts make people aware of the problems in their relationships, whether it’s with a family member or a romantic interest. Read the rest of this entry »

Conflict is a normal part of any relationship. However, fundamental differences between male and female psychology can have a profound impact on how arguments are resolved.

In order to effectively resolve conflict, both partners need to understand each other’s way of dealing with confrontation and how they interpret the issue at hand.

Communication Differences

Communication plays an important role in conflict. In order for a conflict to be resolved, both parties need to talk.

According to marriage and family counselor Timothy Dowty, there are fundamental differences between men and women in this respect.

While the difference is by no means universal, the general trend is that women prefer to discuss feelings, speak more, ask questions and remain polite. Men are usually more commanding, less emotionally centered and focused more on facts.

Roots of Communication Issues

Genders’ communication differences in conflict have nothing to do with biology. Society raises men and women differently. As children, females are taught relationship behaviors, such as caring for dolls or playing “house.” Males are raised to be more competitive, heavily engaging in sports or active games that involve violence or conflict. Again, this is not universal.

However, when these backgrounds clash, the approaches to conflict are different. Read the rest of this entry »

Couples come together for many different reasons. A healthy relationship is meaningful, trustful and fulfilling to both partners. Sometimes conflicts arise that will challenge the core of your relationship. You can prevent conflict by being willing to adapt to change as a team.

Working out your problems together will help you grow stronger and closer in your relationship. Be willing to enjoy the good times as well as work through the bad times of your relationship.

1. Express things that are bothering you. Don’t be afraid to tell your partner how you feel. Holding things inside can lead to a bigger argument later.

Voice what you feel and let your partner know you expect the same in return. You cannot fix what you don’t know about.

2. Build your relationship on respect and trust. Develop a good relationship foundation to help you weather conflict when it arises.

According to The Third Side, a website sponsored by the Global Negotiation Project at Harvard University, “Good relationships are key to preventing conflict. Anyone can help build bridging relationships across natural divides.”

3. Confront conflict directly. Don’t run away from issues. Conflict can be healthy for your relationship as it opens up dialogue on a difficult subject. Work through conflict together.

Come up with solutions that work for you both. If you compromise and you are not fully comfortable with the decision, it could cause further conflict later. Work toward solutions with which you both can live.

4. Empathize with your partner when it comes to conflict. Learn when its time to give in and let the other person have their way. One person should not always win all the time. Be fair with each other and share the win in conflict. If there are only two choices, knowing when to give in can prevent conflict.