Many couples are bad at conflict resolution. They may have grown up in families that avoided conflict and deferred to cultural rules that don’t suit the couple well.
They may not see their partnership as an important source of intimacy and excitement, showing no more interest in resolving conflicts with each other than with tradespeople or co-workers.
They may have dominant or submissive tendencies that impair negotiations. Some partners may not see the advantages of doing what’s best for the system, while others may not see how the system benefits when both partners advocate for themselves.
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