PART V - THE MAJOR ISSUES

Values

As with religion and beliefs, the ideal situation is that you and your spouse share the same values. For example, if you are both vegetarians, food will probably not interfere in your relationship like it would if one of you was a vegetarian and the other a carnivore.

Sometimes it can be very upsetting when a spouse does not share a passionately held belief (e.g. liberal vs. conservative politics, how neat and tidy the house should be, etc.). But a marriage can still work when spouses don’t see eye-to-eye on many issues.

You can “agree to disagree” as long as you respect each other’s position, and focus on the things you do share in common.  You do this through (surprise, surprise) good communication, unselfishness, personal development, and observing the rules of conflict.

In severe cases where daily living continues to be disrupted, professional counseling may be required.