Dear Carolyn • I have a wonderful girlfriend of two years now. There’s only one thing that makes me worry about the future of our relationship: her political views. I’m liberal, and she’s conservative. I tell myself this isn’t a deal-breaker, but when we discuss politics, it usually gets pretty heated — and it’s usually because I think she lacks empathy, while she thinks I’m TOO empathetic to people’s situations. Are our polar opposite political views a sign of polar opposite values that will make it hard to be married or raise a family? I’m not the most politically savvy person, but I think the reason I get so upset when we debate politics is that she doesn’t really pay attention to the news, so her opinions, while strong, are never as informed as they could be. Everything else about the relationship is great. She doesn’t seem to think the political differences are a big deal, but every time we greatly disagree on a political topic I find myself doubting the relationship.
Deal Breaker
Dear Deal Breaker • Couples can survive political differences, but they rarely thrive when one half doesn’t respect the other. It doesn’t matter where it takes her; if you don’t respect her thought process, then, deal-breaker.
Re: Politics • How do you cultivate respect for a person under the circumstances where they decisively and firmly argue uninformed opinions? If a person is plowing forward with opinions that aren’t based in fact, where is the place you go in your head to conjure the empathy and therefore respect for them? I agree that a relationship cannot survive a lack of respect, but what if someone is displaying behavior that isn’t exactly making respect a walk in the park?
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous • Then you accept that you don’t respect the person, and it might be over. I do think that, while a quest for mutual respect is good for the soul and necessary with people you don’t choose, like parents or neighbors, it’s best not to work that hard with a mate. Hold out instead for mutual respect that comes from sources that are natural, abundant and enduring.
Carolyn Hax’s column runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
-
Kennecott announces first wave of layoffs
Published May 23, 2013 02:32:06PM -
NSA, Herbert confident data center can avoid new energy tax
Published May 23, 2013 02:28:22PM -
Take a peek ‘Behind the Candelabra’
Published May 23, 2013 02:26:03PM -
Utah man sentenced to prison for sexual assaulting minor he met online
Published May 23, 2013 02:19:03PM
Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
