Bonds between people with opposing ideas may seem impossible to manage from a romantic point of view. A continuous source of discussions and conflicts that could not be overcome despite the affection and love between both parties. However, this does not have to be like this. Can a relationship between political ‘enemies’ work? The answer is yes, but under certain conditions, since it will inevitably be a challenge for the couple.
There is no doubt that political ideology plays an important role in the social sphere, something that also affects relationships. Mainly because these ideas cannot be separated from oneself, because they are part of everything that builds a person’s identity and how they relate to their environment. In the case of a couple with discrepancies in this sense, they must learn how to manage them so that they do not affect their bond.
There are various studies, such as the one carried out by the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Warsaw, that affirm the importance of a couple sharing political ideology. This not only influences whether or not you feel attracted to the other party before formalizing the bond, but also makes predictions about how successful or not the union will be. But the reality is that each couple is a unique case.
The therapist specializing in relationships, Tasha Seiter, explains that one of the most common mistakes that are usually made in this type of relationship has to do with the intention of wanting to change the opinion or beliefs of the other party. When this happens, the other person’s reaction is often to become defensive. So the most common thing is that a confrontation occurs due to two disparate ideological positions. In these discussions, one frequently tends to try to impose their ideas on those of the other party. And so the conflict begins.
One of the best ways to prevent these situations is to make an agreement within the couple in which they decide to put aside these types of conversations. However, sometimes it is inevitable and cannot be avoided. Then, the specialist emphasizes the importance of respecting the partner’s thoughts, without trying to modify them with one’s own. In fact, she advises showing interest in this way of thinking to learn more in depth and try to understand the political ideology of the other party. This will consist of asking questions to develop a respectful dialogue, in which both people listen to each other and exchange impressions calmly.
