to the YourTango newsletter!

FIND AN EXPERT
Advanced SearchElizabeth CariagaHadley FinchDr.  Laurie Weiss
ProConnect

Facebook Doesn't Ruin Relationships, People Do. [EXPERT]

By posted

facebook
The "like" button on Facebook may not be the root of your relationship problems...
Facebook doesn't cause problems in a relationship; it brings to light problems that already exist.

I often hear people say, "Facebook ruins relationships." And I must admit, I absolutely loved that the last guy I dated didn't have an account. But Facebook doesn't ruin relationships. Neither do strip clubs, porn, or online dating sites. People ruin relationships.

While Facebook gives us an easy, casual way to get in touch with people, it doesn't make our choices for us. We need to take responsibility for our actions. We still decide what defines cheating in our relationships, and whether or not we will cross that line. We still decide how much attention we should pay to other people, and how much attention we are comfortable receiving. When I hear people blame Facebook, strip clubs, or anything else for the problems in their marriage, it reminds me of what is (in my opinion) one of the worst personality flaws: the inability to admit the truth. 3 Mistakes Women Make When They Suspect Cheating EXPERT

If your goal is to brush things under the rug and pretend everything in your relationship is fine, then by all means stay off Facebook. Cancel girls' night out. Stay away from any bachelor parties. Monitor each other's internet use, and check each other's phone. You know, just in case.

But if your goal is to have a solid, healthy relationship, one that is based on trust and commitment, recognize that any fears you have about Facebook in your relationship are deeper issues that should be worked through in counseling.

I've heard several people say that infidelity in their marriages ultimately served to strengthen the marriage. Clearly it was not the act of infidelity that improved the relationship, but the resulting attention paid to the relationship after the affair. Rather than wait or hope your fears never materialize, confront these fears early on. In a healthy relationship, you won't have to spend your time worrying about what your partner will do. And you won't worry that you'll be tempted to stray, either. You'll trust each other. You'll trust yourself.

Facebook is not the problem. Figure out what is, and work through it together.

And don't forget to click the little button to "like" this article on Facebook.

Related: 6 Things You Do On Facebook That Turn Him Off EXPERT


Rebecca A. Marquis is the author of How to Be a Good Boyfriend: 34 ways to keep her from getting annoying, jealous, or crazy. amzn.com/145632411X

Article contributed by
Advanced Member

Rebecca A. Marquis

Author

Rebecca A. Marquis is the author of How to Be a Good Boyfriend: 34 ways to keep her from getting annoying, jealous, or crazy. amzn.com/145632411X ramarquis.com

Other Articles/News by Rebecca A. Marquis:

Don't be this guy on Valentine's Day.

By

Eddie and Kristen went to college together and had been dating for a couple of years. They both lived on campus but were heading back to visit Eddie’s family for the weekend to celebrate his dad’s 50th birthday. It happened to be Valentine’s Day weekend, so when Eddie arrived to pick Kristen up, he brought her a gift. It was the newest, ... Read more

Relationships of Convenience

By

Having experienced my first major relationship in my early twenties, I became well aware of how I felt. I learned how to articulate my emotions, and I learned how to care about another person. Since then, I have occasionally been dumbfounded by the emotional distance present in some relationships. I dated Phil a few years ago. He and I were perfect together ... Read more

Yet Another Celebrity Divorce [EXPERT]

By

Today we learned that another celebrity marriage is ending; Katy Perry & Russell Brand will be filing for divorce. It's big news because they're young and famous, because the marriage only lasted 14 months and because they always seemed an unlikely couple. But marriages are ending every day among us, especially as the new year begins. As someone ... Read more

See More

Recent Expert Posts
love

How Is Your Love Defined? [EXPERT]

Discover the three phases of love and how each phase draws different aspects of you.

Unhappy Woman

Is There A Magnet Drawing Heartbreak To Your Life? [EXPERT]

Fear of disappointment is a huge block to future love. Don't let this romance killer control you!

bathing suit

What To Do When You Have To Wear A Swimsuit [EXPERT]

Don't panic. Get the dos and don'ts for looking good in a swimsuit ... no matter what your shape!

Have a dating or relationship question?
Ask it here and one of our experts will answer it.

Resources
How to find the right pro for you

10 Steps To Improve Your Coaching Business

Take your coaching business from mediocre to great in no time…

Frequently Asked Questions About YourTango Experts

Thinking of joining? Here's all the facts you need to know to make the most of your membership.

Getting Your Guy To Join You In A Therapy Or Coaching Session

So how can your get your strong, self-reliant, superman to talk to an Expert with you?

Therapist/Counselors: Who We Are & What We Do

What exactly does a therapist/counselor do and can they really help?

How Can I Know Who Is The Right Expert For Me?

Take a few minutes to read over our best tips on how to pick the right Expert for you!

See more resources>