Why it matters
In a heavily polarized political climate, both in Israel and the United States, couples with divergent political beliefs are coming under immense strain, leading to potential conflict within their relationship, according to research by University of Illinois.
By the numbers
Statistics suggest that up to 30% of Americans may be in committed relationships with someone who does not share their political views. Such differences have turned out to be a significant stressor for many couples.
The details
A new study titled “Negotiating News: How Cross-Cutting Romantic Partners Select, Consume, and Discuss News Together.” investigates how couples with differing political views handle news consumption and the subsequent discussions on political topics. Professor Emily Van Duyn at University of Illinois conducted extensive interviews and documented as couples navigated these potentially treacherous waters.
What they’re saying
The study reveals the intricacies of “negotiated exposure,” a term defined by Professor Van Duyn to understand how couples deal with media selection in a hyper-politicized environment. Choosing what to watch can trigger discussions on political divergences between partners, which sometimes escalates into conflict, suggesting that media consumption is inherently intertwined with political identity.
Real-world impact
The conflict arising out of the discrepancy in political beliefs and media preferences can strain interpersonal relationships, influencing decisions on whether to share media content with partners and leading to mechanisms like “news avoidance” to preserve the relationship.
Between the lines
The study dives deeply into real-life examples where couples either find compromise, navigate political ideology shifts within their relationship, or in some cases, opt for secrecy to maintain peace. Decisions to consume news separately or find a neutral media source represent some of the strategies utilized by couples managing such differences.
Bottom line
Political dichotomies within intimate relationships mirror broader social cleavages, underscoring how media—and the consumption thereof—has become a pillar around which modern democratic relational dynamics revolve.
Related Tags
Politics, Israeli politics, marriage, US politics, Marriage and Family
This story was first published on jpost.com.