Let’s say you are very left-wing. Do you ever see yourself getting in a relationship with someone who’s the exact opposite of you…very very right-wing? And vice versa. To those of you here who are very conservative…do you ever see yourself in a relationship with a left-winger?
This shouldn’t really matter when it comes to love and all. There are obviously other factors in which you fall in love with someone. If that person is very funny and sweet and caring and all that good stuff, then political views are just a small part. But I felt like asking.
Could you set political views aside and focus on everything else that makes the person great or would political views cause some tension between you?
Speaking as a person who a) believes he is mostly left-wing. And b) has had a few too many shots of JD - I believe if you love someone your brain finds a way of enjoying that person’s company regardless of their political persuasion.
I think it depends. I’ve known people who I could have been attracted to if not for their political views which(where it mattered) with in direct opposition to mine(or I was attracted to them until I found out their views on certain issues, then those feelings died). I see it as sharing the same worldview, at least on what you feel is important. Say, if you believe all guns should be outlawed, marrying somebody who owns a collection of AK-47’s is probably not the best idea. Either you both become very good at comprimising your beliefs or one of you is going to be resentful.
Some people can fall and stay in love with those on the opposite side of the spectrum (James Carville and his wife), though I imagine that it falls apart more often then it works. It could happen if you either are both very tolerant of each others viewpoints or just don’t ever bring up politics.
During a number of elections my wife and I didn’t vote by cancelling each other out. Yes, it’s certainly possible for people with very different political views to live together happily.
I’m very left-wing, and I’ve dated people who didn’t have strong or well-developed political beliefs, but I couldn’t consider dating someone who was right-wing. My politics are an integral part of my worldview and my morals. The only question is how far right I would be willing to deal with. For example, I’m not a capitalist, but since it’s only economic system we have, so most people are. Someone would have to think at the least that the system we have is highly flawed. I can’t even stand to carry on a conversation with say, a Bush supporter, for very long.
Perhaps so. If you look at the British Parliament, one wonders how people on opposite sides of the aisle even share the island. Marriage across party lines sounds almost impossible.
I agree with HPL, it depends on what exactly is going on. When I married my husband he was still voting Republican and I was voting Democrat, and it was no big deal (that there isn’t much difference is a point well taken also).
But had he been extremely far to the right, as some of my friends at the time were, I think it might have been a problem.
Good point. Republicans and Democrats, assuming both are moderate, probably wouldn’t be too much of a problem, but in cases like an Anarchist/Libertarian falling in love with a Facist/Communist would pose significant problems.
