Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are about as different as it’s possible to be, and you and your partner could potentially fall on opposite sides of the political debate. Everyone wants to meet someone who feels the same way about politics as they do. In fact, according to a poll by Wishbone, 47% of the 10,000 people surveyed say they wouldn’t want to date someone who has different political beliefs. It looks like many people just want to avoid all the stress and trouble that comes with having different views. This shows us why many people choose to date within their own community, whether it be a religious, cultural, or political community.
Things have gone so far that there are even dating sites for followers of the major candidates. For example, those against Trump can use MapleMatch, those rooting for Trump can go on TrumpSingles, and those favouring Bernie Sanders can find love with BernieSingles. The political differences between couples might not even show themselves for a few decades or until someone really divisive shows up. While it’s true that your political beliefs can change over time, you should avoid starting a relationship when you know the other person doesn’t agree with your core beliefs.
However, this doesn’t mean that you and your partner have to be on the same political page to secure a great relationship. Here are some great tips to help keep the relationship together, even if you fall on opposite sides during election season.
- When looking for a potential partner, you want to get with someone who has a set of values that you are specifically looking for in another. If the only thing about you two that doesn’t match is your political leanings, then don’t let that be something that stops you both from getting together. You should consider moving on if those goals and values are different, however. Remember that people are defined by more than just political beliefs, so don’t generalize others based simply on their candidate of choice. See them for everything they are.
- If you find someone who is perfect except for their political beliefs, then agree to never discuss politics with them. Agree to disagree as it were. If you know it will cause an argument, then don’t talk about it.
- If you insist on talking about politics, then be respectful of each other and your opposing viewpoints without letting it become an argument. Almost no couple agrees on absolutely everything and there’s nothing wrong with that.
- When someone has put a lot of thought into choosing their political beliefs, you need to respect that, even if you don’t agree with their selections. They took the time to put some real thought into their choice and made what they believe is the right decision, even if it doesn’t match the “right decision” you made. The person who just repeats what the TV tells them and simply believes the sound bites are the ones to watch out for. At least your partner will be able to back up their decision and make legitimate arguments.
- Find the areas that you do agree on. There should be something you still agree on politically, even if your views are different overall. You might have a similar stance on social policies, for example. You can even have deep and meaningful discussions on how the two sides could come together and compromise to create true political reform. You might not actually be able to pull off political reform, but remember that compromising like this is an important part of any relationship.
- Try as you might, you need to accept that you’ll never change their mind, as the person is unlikely to change their political views. You also wouldn’t want to date someone who tries to change your mind instead of accepting you for who you are.
- Before coming to the conclusion that you can’t stay together because of your political differences, find out just how active they are politically. They might be in a different party to you but they might also be uninvolved with the party. That’s a situation where things will work out easier than you think.
Tips were provided by Justin Lavelle
Justin Lavelle is the Chief Communications Officer at PeopleLooker.com. PeopleLooker allows individuals to find more information about people, phone numbers, email addresses, property records, and criminal records in a way that’s fast, easy, and affordable.
Founder of The Complete Guide to Natural Healing (www.thecompleteherbalguide.com)
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