Can Your Spouse Have a Difference of Opinion?

@NailTech (6874)
United States
December 13, 2012 6:00pm CST
My mother has had this issue, if my dad disagrees with her on something or if he says this or that about something he can't seem to have his own opinion on it (well it's the same with me sometmes too). She goes off on him and says oh it's not that bad or such and starts defending whatever it is he was saying isn't that good, etc. I would hate to be in a relationship like that but she does it to him all the time and they are elderly now. Isn't it time to take a step back and start letting people be who they are in a relationship? Sheesh. What the **** is wrong with some people? I might just say well that is your opinion and move on as to not cause more of an argument. I mean some of the things it's about really is trivial! For instance he doesn't like the school buses to drive around and she then says it's not their fault. Uhm, whatever, it doesn't matter, don't sweat the small stuff! It's crazy when people feel a huge need to argue about this kind of thing. I was in the car with both of them the other month while they were bickering again and I just yelled out "If you two don't stop arguing I'm getting out of the car" and this was on the middle of that fast crazy road. They still continued to fight.
1 person likes this
11 responses
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
14 Dec 12
I hate getting involve in an argument, especially one that really doesn't have any direct relation to things that matter to me, so I would definitely just avoid them. It sounds like you grew up on a difficult environment. Some people change and some don't. Maybe it's their thing.
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
14 Dec 12
Difficult is not even the word for it and it still goes on now as I speak. Being female for me seems like it is a curse in my family as if it was one of the third worlds or something. My opinions don't matter, etc. My dad doesn't speak up for himself too much and if he does now he is practically talked down so low to he is flattened so he avoids an argument by not saying anything which is a terrible way to live. I don't believe some people should dominate any relationship this way be it a female or male.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
14 Dec 12
Wow, I salute your father for being the better person in that kind of relationship. I guess some people will go through all kinds of hell for the people they love and your dad must really love your mom. I don't know if I can stand anything like that from a partner in a relationship, in fact I believe I wouldn't stand it. You are right though, I believe relationships should be about maintaining equality and respect for each other, but well, I have heard of unusual situations so I am not totally surprise if your parents' have one. Just as long as they have kept on living with each other with love, sometimes that's all that really matters, right?
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
15 Dec 12
Yes he has put up with alot from her and probably vice versa when he was drinking before 1988. But the fact that someone isn't 'allowed' to have a different opinion to me is just absurd. We can't grow or be ourselves if that were the case. I hate that something so trivial causes arguments with them. We all deserve better lives than to choose to be with people who annoy them it seems. She needs some serious mental help.
@ShyBear88 (59282)
• Sterling, Virginia
14 Dec 12
Me and my husband we don't always see eye to eye on things and that to me is a good thing. I never wanted to be with someone that always agreed with me that would just be boring. It's good for us not to feel the same way about the same things it makes us, use and I wouldn't want it any other way.
@ShyBear88 (59282)
• Sterling, Virginia
15 Dec 12
I have family members that like to cause drama.
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
15 Dec 12
Yes that is exactly what it is, but to cause some trouble over differences of opinion is just wrong. Some people just thrive on causing nonsense like that in my family.
• India
14 Dec 12
yes your spouse can have difference of opinion. Because everybody's thinking is different. But you need to discuss with her to come to a common conclusion
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
15 Dec 12
When she gets in these moods nothing changes her mind, she is quite the stubborn person. I can't understand her, she gets along better with my brother. In a wierd sense she should have been married to my brother cause they seem to have a better rappaport than anyone else here. It is crazy sick to actually imagine it though that way. I know these people are dysfunctional though so I dunno what goes through their minds sometimes.
• India
14 Dec 12
Both husband and wife must have good understanding with each other and avoid unwanted fights. Particularly if they have kids, they must surely avoid arguing in front of the kids, it will affect the kids a lot. Opinion differs from people to people, there is nothing wrong in having a different opinion with our spouse, but we must express it in a good manner without arguments. If the fault is from our side, we must agree it and rectify our faults, if the fault is from our spouse side, we must point it out gently in a friendly manner and made them to realize their fault. This kind of couples with good understanding will lead a happy life and their kids will be happy with their parents guidance. Some couples are quite opposite to this and start arguments for silly things. This kind of activities will affect the kids a lot. if your hubby/wife is in this sort, try your maximum to compromise with them to avoid unwanted quarrels, there is nothing wrong in adjusting with our spouse and it will avoid a lot of issues in our life. Both of the couples must try their best to avoid silly arguments, if they started this kind of quarrels, then there is no end for their fights in their life time and their kids will spoiled a lot with their activities. If one of the person in this sort, surely the another person must try his/her maximum to change him/her otherwise make compromise with them to avoid issues. This kind of activity will help us to lead a peaceful life and couples will follow this way throughout their life to have a wonderful relationship. Marriage relationship is a great bond in our life which should be handled with more love and care. Don't allow this kind of silly issues to spoil this life long bond. Give equal importance to your partner and avoid EGO to have a peaceful life forever.
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
15 Dec 12
I don't think she ever even wanted a peaceful life, she has always been in the middle of almost every quarrel here if not starting them. Things would be boring without her here but they would also be very peaceful if that makes any sense. My parents frequwntly arguing something fierce when we were kids and I know it effected us both. It is said the kids grow up very depressed and that describes me to a T. I do have my happy moments but it is always shot down by their negativity nowadays.
@ZoeJoy (1392)
• United States
15 Dec 12
It must be quite a challenge when your parents argue. If I were you, I would not get involved. Bring earphones and listen to some loud rock music or something. If your father has not been able to tell your mother to stop disagreeing, then he probably never will. Not sure how he puts up with it but he does. Perhaps it best (which is sad) to only see your parents on special occasions. There is nothing much you can do about other people's problems. Just try to not let it bother you - which is easier said that done. Just give each of your parents a hug and tell that you love them both.
@ulan12rc (222)
• Qatar
14 Dec 12
Marriage life is not an easy thing, you need to know whom you're living with learn to know every single detail about each other, the do's and dont's must be present it is very important. It's like setting some rules so both husband and wife will be aware. Give respect to each other, try to learn how to understand and meet half way to avoid arguments even to simplest things. Relationship should be a two way traffic don't try to overpower each other. Being dominant will lead to misunderstanding down to arguing. Next time if they're having petty quarrel you can simply tell them or ask them in a very low and nice way, "are you two not tired of arguing, isn't it sometimes feels so good if both of you will just keep quiet and enjoy life together quietly and happily."
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
14 Dec 12
Sure they can. As long as its an opinion to begin with. I have ended up in some short lived arguments due to people due to people hearing a fact that I've shared with them and taking it for an opinion when its not. Some things just aren't even worth fighting over though no matter who is right.
@Paper_Doll (2373)
• Philippines
14 Dec 12
How old are your parents? Well, there are many people who behave like that but I think that for couples who have been together for decades, they should have already learned how to handle this kind of situations. I admit that during the first months of our marriage, we do argue on many things, even on simple things. But later on, little by little we learn to adjust with each other. My husband and I like freebies but are both shy to collect or redeem them. What we usually do is we play rock-paper-scissor to determine who will go to claim it. We learned different approaches on how to handle those differences as days passes by. But there are people who aren't really open to change and that would really make it really hard. I actually know some people who are intelligent and holds high position but is known to be a close minded person who does not accept other people's opinion. And what's worse is she would really insist that you are wrong and that he is right. She will continue insisting until you get irritated and give up. Because if you don't, she will going to take it personally and will open sensitive topics that would hurt you and criticize you. It is hard to live with this kind of people. It would take lots of patience and maturity.
@Manasha (2727)
• Pondicherry, India
14 Dec 12
Spouse is not a person who has to encourage what we speak always. The spouse is one who comment for our mistakes. So, they can have different opinion.
@franseman (516)
• Philippines
14 Dec 12
Peopole are all different with each their own opinion. Everybody also has the right to his/her own opinion. So what? And starting arguments over small matters......no way! Like my ex sister in law always came with stories about their neighbours. I didn't even know those people so why should I care? That's why I stopped visiting my brother. If people really have to say something important I'm in.
• China
14 Dec 12
i do want to have a quarrel with people, if i have something to deal with my spouse, i will talk with him beforahand, and reach an agreement together. that will redure the rate of argument.