conflicts in relationships

Why are conflicts in close relationships inevitable?

In my opinion, it is hard to be in a close relationship and fail to have opposing viewpoints or portray some characters that irritate a partner. Intimate interactions expose some aspects of an individual’s personality that do not always align with the desires of the other person. However, owing to the close bond that exists in the relationship, some people may find it difficult to express their dissents politely. They often turn a blind eye on the incident until it builds up, and they cannot withhold it anymore. When faced with an argument, temper rises, and this may create a tense environment that causes an individual to spurt past events in an irrational and inconsiderate manner.

Also, as people get into a close relationship, they often confuse the relationship bond with the need to express oneself adequately. One may think that their partner understands their strengths and flows and that he or she does not need to inform the partner about important moves in life. Such miscommunication evokes disagreements and hinders the possibility of partners participating in meaningful and open discussions.

Lastly, I opine that close relationships present the feeling of oneness, which, at times, may imply different things among partners. Partners often conflict over recreational activities, holiday vacations, and several other critical issues. The belief that “if I like a particular place or activity, my partner will like it as well,” does not always hold true and is a major reason why conflicts are inevitable in close relationships.

Reply to Christine Conlon

Indeed, we are all different despite the belief that we become one when we are bound in a close relationship.  The only way to minimize the effects of our individuality in relationships and minimize conflicts is through effective communication of opinions and engaging in open-minded discussions, a concept that you bring out clearly in your post.

Reply to Tanner Henry

You bring up a powerful point about individual experiences, either during the upbringing of a person or in their young adulthood that may influence their perceptions and opinions. Relationships bring together people with totally different experiences and, therefore, it is impossible to make them agree on everything. Even those with similar backgrounds will show different reactivity to different situations.