Why people try to change the person they love


Everyone has their own idea of the perfect mate. Physical appearance and personality traits define the initial attraction, but most people enter relationships with partners who fall short of being ideal. Communication and compromise helps overcome differences during the early stages of romance, but at some point, one person in the relationship will expect to see long term change in the person they grow to love.

But other people are aggressive in encouraging change in their partners. They develop a mental image of the person they want to love, and become diligent about shaping and molding their partner into that person. Many fail to recognize that their actions may be detrimental to the relationship, and that they could be asking that person to change an important part of their personality.

People have different reasons for wanting to change the person they love. Some focus on encouraging the elimination of bad habits, such as smoking or the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. They may suggest exercise or weight loss programs if they feel their partner could be healthier, or improved hygiene and housekeeping habits if those are areas of concern.

People sometimes want their partners to change because they have experienced change themselves. Those who have recently achieved educational goals may place higher expectations their mates. If one person has broadened their circle of friends or increased their social activities, then they may push for their partner to do the same.

Some couples go through changes together. They embrace growth as a couple, and often find that facing challenges together is easier than going through things alone. They will engage in new or different activities, such as committing themselves to church, or taking ballroom dance classes, and find that pursuing such change together helps them to grow closer together as a couple.

Change is not as easy for some as it is for others. People develop their own process for implementing change, but they must usually be motivated to do so. The greater the motivation, the more likely that change will take place, but the decision to take action is strictly in the hands of that individual.

The bottom line is that most people implement change in their lives on their own terms, and pushing them does more to push them away than lead towards the desired results. Gentle encouragement works better than a nagging, although a good shove might be necessary every now and then.

2 comments:

Trueman said...

That's a good point. People often get into relationships with someone because they see something positive in them that they can change into something they want them to be. That's not a smart thing to do.

Unknown said...

The initial first attraction is what sinks most people in a relationship situation.
They tend to overlook so many realistic habits and characteristics of their said partner ...then when they get deeper into the relationship...the debate begins...you have changed...no, you are just now seeing me for who I am and not who you wanted me to be...ect.
This tug of war goes on in so many relationships at so many levels.
Accepting a partner for who they are right from the beginning most certainly does help to overcome those overwhelming realizations down the road.
It is vital to in any relationship to change together...not apart.

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