Healthy Marriage Habits Quiz #6 – Mutual Respect, Accountability & Boundaries
Many people think that respect is simply being polite to each other, but it is much, much more. Respect denotes a willingness to learn from each other, to see the truth, goodness, and beauty in the things each other finds true, good and beautiful, to defer to one another’s knowledge and expertise, to accept each other’s boundaries, and to listen to each other well especially when you disagree.
The root of partnership is mutual respect, the willingness to see your spouse as a real, three dimensional person who you believe can teach you a great deal about living a healthy, happy, loving, life. This willingness to listen and even submit to one another–especially under stress and pressure–is what marriage therapists call the fondness and admiration system (Gottman, 2011).