CAB #3 Principle 5

            

           Conflict is part of life. I believe when people say they never have conflict are lying or in denial. They might repress it or do their best to ignore it, but that fact is it can be good for a relationship.  Whether it is romantic, guy-guy, girl-girl, or guy-girl (non romantic).  Conflict is viewed as a negative component of life (Woods, Pg. 227). As long as the conflict is handled constructively people are able to grow and strengthen relationships (Woods, Pg. 227). People will end friendships or relationships if conflict goes bad. The lack of conflict is not a good sign either, according to Woods. Woods continues, “Low levels of conflict could reflect limited emotional depth between partners or unwillingness to engage in communication about differences.” In every type of relationship I have had, there was some sort of conflict.

            As many know I am married, we have had our fair share of conflict in our relationship. Some my fault others her fault, we both know that we need to work through it because we care about each other. Through conflict we have learned that open conversation about what is bothering us is more beneficial than trying to suppress it. We have also learned how to piss the other off if we want to, I do not recommend this. Yet, knowing what does piss us off we can then avoid doing it or not forgetting to do it. What ever “it” may be.

            After reading this chapter I am fully confident that arguing is not bad but could be good. As long as the good times out way the bad, everyday is a learning process. Willingness of both parties is a must; if the other is not investing into the relationship there is not point to work through issues. 

Reference: 

Wood, J. T. (2012). Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters (7^th ed.). Independence, KY: Wadsworth.