Today, the world has become a small place where everything affects everyone. The popularity of social media combined with abundant information on the internet has made us more opinionated than ever before. The scale of political awareness that we observe currently in the world is simply unprecedented. People have an opinion, and they are not afraid to share it anymore. But is that something that can affect dating and relationships? Apparently, yes. Let's find out how!
Politics and Dating
Gone are those days when taking an interest in politics was a matter of choice. In the present scenario, there is hardly any person who isn’t informed about the current affairs. All thanks to social media and internet technology. We are living in a world where every single update from events across the world is available to us in our mobile devices. With all this data consumption, everyone is aware of their rights and is ready to pick a side. We easily get frustrated, agitated, and offended. It has all become left and right!
When we are constantly receiving information and reacting to every situation, it affects our choices and actions. Eventually, these decisions shape our personality which is clearly exhibited in our interactions with other people. That’s where dating comes into the picture.
In today’s world of modern dating trends, individual opinion is a major factor for two people getting together in a relationship. Since every date starts with conversations, you are bound to discuss your views and interests. Politics is one of them. It may not come up on the first date but eventually it will! If both of you share the same views, you may hit it off instantly but with opposing political views, the relationship isn’t usually easy. In this chaos of agreement and disagreement, it may be difficult to seek love and mutual respect.
So, is it a dead-end? Not really!
Differences are Important
No two persons are similar. We all have different tastes, preferences, and views. But that doesn’t mean we cannot love others who disagree with us. In fact, differences of opinion play a great role in strengthening a relationship. This is because opposing views give way to conversation and discussions which ultimately help you understand your partner’s perspective, thus bringing them closer to you. However, it’s your responsibility not to let that discussion turn into an ugly argument.
Agreeing with your partner all the time isn’t a solution to a happy relationship. In fact, the key is to maintain a respectful relationship despite all the differences and disagreements. A relationship is not about giving up your beliefs and views for love; it’s about agreeing to disagree and still keeping love above everything else.
How to make it work?
Dating someone with different political beliefs can be challenging, but it’s not entirely impossible. As long as you know your priorities and keep an open mind, no amount of disagreements and differences can harm a healthy relationship. Here are some tips that will help you make things work:
- Listen Patiently: It’s a common assumption that someone who doesn’t agree with you will try to demean your viewpoint, but it’s not always the case. If you act with patience and lend ears to your partner without any judgement, it will make the discussion much easier for the two of you.
- Don’t be disrespectful: Expressing disagreement doesn’t have to be aggressive and condescending. You will have to maintain a dignified stance and respect each other irrespective of opposing views. Nobody has the right to insult the other person simply for having different opinions.
- Focus on facts: If you are presenting your point of view, always focus on the facts rather than opinions. This will make the argument much more constructive. Make sure to fact check the details before you go on yelling at your partner. Similarly, if your partner is citing facts, you have no reason to dismiss their side of the argument.
- Find a middle ground: If you want to date someone with different political beliefs, you will have to come to terms with it that you and your partner do not share the same views. Acknowledge the situation and come up with a solution mutually so it doesn’t harm your relationship. There’s always a scope for a middle ground if you are determined enough.
It starts with you
In the past few years, the political climate has started affecting all aspects of our lives. More and more people have started expressing how much they oppose or favor a particular political party. In this tug of war between left wing and right wing, you can’t compromise your love life. No amount of love can make you abandon your principles but at the same time, you have to make sure not to sabotage your relationship for trivial issues.
If you prefer to date a person with whom you can share similar beliefs, there’s nothing wrong with it. But if you think you can date someone with differing political views, there’s no force in the world that can stop you. The only thing to remember is that both of you must be ready to give each other the freedom of expression. You can either restrain yourself from discussing politics at all or you can have a healthy conversation, that’s your choice.