Cheryl Besner: The Politics of Dating
With the federal election coming up on Monday, politics are naturally on our minds, whether we want them to be or not!
I’m sure this past Thanksgiving weekend saw more than a few heated discussions around the dinner table, but what about when it happens outside of family gatherings, between you and a potential love interest? With more and more connections coloured by red, blue, orange or green, can two people with opposing political views live in harmony?
I say that it’s definitely possible! There are several prominent examples of political opposites who have found lasting love. The first that come to mind are Mary Matalin and James Carville. While both enjoy high-profile careers in the political arena (she’s a Republican, he’s a Democrat,) they appear to have mastered the art of not bringing work home, as they’re still going strong after 22 years!
Despite coming from one of the most prominent Democrat families in America, Maria Shriver shared 25 years with Republican Arnold Schwartzenegger, several of them as he served as governor of California – until their marriage ended for obvious NON-political reasons!
While this can be a deal-breaker for some, many couples are able to reconcile differing political views with the deep affection they have for one another. Not to say that these relationships are smooth sailing, of course! It takes a conscious effort on both ends to maintain respect for the other’s opinions and to be considerate of the other’s point of view, especially if they aren’t shared.
You’ll often find yourself wondering “How can he/she honestly think that?” Connecting through meaningful conversation, in the spirit of curiosity and openness, can help ease the friction. Even if you don’t agree on a topic, maybe there’s something to be learned from your partner’s position on it. Understanding why your partner holds certain beliefs can even help broaden your opinions, allowing you to see what’s going on around you through a different set of eyes.
The fact is, your partner has most likely come to his or her views through a lifetime of experiences, just like you have, and they deserve the same respect you expect for your own.
However, there are limits! If your differences are more deep-seated than what I just described, placing your core values and morals in direct conflict with one another, then maybe it’s time to move on. While it can be exhilarating to be challenged, you should never have to compromise on your own beliefs and boundaries.
All this to say, a bird can’t fly with only one wing, so there’s no reason that left wing and right wing can’t swoop off into the sunset together!
Join us on Solo in the City Radio this Saturday night at 10 PM for an in-depth discussion on the politics of dating. We’ll be welcoming our very special guest, Lord Conrad Black, author, founder of the National Post, and host of Zoomer TV. Lord Black then joins a fiery roundtable with former Liberal MP Hon. Marlene Jennings, and Barbara Kay, columnist with the National Post. Don’t miss it! You can listen live here or on CJAD 800 AM in Montreal.
And, as always, be sure to check our KISS calendar to help you Keep It Simply Social!
– Cheryl xo
Cheryl Besner
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