Why Do People Not Accept Responsibility in Relationships?

Why Do People Not Accept Responsibility In Relationships
Updated:
Dr. Wendy Walsh
Lillian Castro

By: Dr. Wendy Walsh

Editor: Lillian Castro

Our dating experts guide readers step-by-step through relationship challenges and romantic decisions in our popular series of advice articles.

Reader Question:

Why is it that a good number of people don’t accept responsibility in a relationship besides being in a state of denial?

-Tom

Dr. Wendy Walsh’s Answer:

Hmmm….are you suggesting that a “good number of people” refuse to see things your way? Here’s a newsflash: Couples live in two different worlds. Each partner sees the relationship in terms of their own perspective and personal psychology.

The best we can do as partners is to attempt to understand where our lover is coming from, why their tender spots make them erupt or recoil and how best we can communicate our own needs in a way to be heard.

We can’t always make them understand us. But when there is conflict, we can choose to put the relationship first. Winning the relationship is often better than winning the battle. 


No counseling or psychotherapy advice: The Site does not provide psychotherapy advice. The Site is intended only for use by consumers in search of general information of interest pertaining to problems people may face as individuals and in relationships and related topics. Content is not intended to replace or serve as substitute for professional consultation or service. Contained observations and opinions should not be misconstrued as specific counseling advice.

About the Author

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Dr. Wendy Walsh

By: Dr. Wendy Walsh

Women's Dating Expert

Known as America's Relationship Expert, Dr. Wendy Walsh is an award-winning television journalist, radio host & podcaster, and the author of three books on relationships and thousands of print and digital articles. More than 1.5 million people follow her sage advice on social media. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and teaches in the Psychology Department at California State University Channel Islands and has been the host of "The Dr. Wendy Walsh Show" on iHeart Radio's KFI AM 640 since 2015. Walsh is also a former Emmy-nominated co-host of "The Doctors," as well as former host of the nationally syndicated show "EXTRA." She was named a Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2017 after speaking out about harassment at a major news network.

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