Therapist Anna Elton Offers 3 Strategies to Defuse Political Fights in Relationships
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 12
Therapist Anna Elton Offers 3 Strategies to Defuse Political Fights in Relationships
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 12
Summary
More than one-third of Americans have ended a relationship over political differences, and therapist Anna Elton says those divisions are now straining both marriages and dating decisions.
Elton’s first step is setting boundaries before talks begin, because the first three minutes often predict the outcome; she also urges limits on political media and one phone-free date night a week.
Her second strategy is to agree to disagree without turning beliefs into a partner’s identity, using curiosity, shared information and explicit reassurance to reconnect after arguments.
A third warning is to avoid dragging family or friends into the dispute, since venting can create triangulation and damage how others view a partner.
Younger adults increasingly screen dates by party affiliation, Elton said, making political compatibility an earlier and more consequential relationship test.