When you start dating you are actually inviting someone into your life. When you form a relationship with someone, all of a sudden their opinions about you and what you do, become important. Therefore you invite them to have influence in your life. When you think about it like that, its an interesting process.
This is a good thing when the person cares about you enough to recognise the important things to you. They then use their influence to make you a better person. Often though, people have their own agenda and will use their influence to build on their own ideals and values, rather than recognising you are a different person with a different perspective on life.
Culture and religious views can be very influential in this regard. If you date a partner who has strong cultural or religious views, it is going to impact their life views and therefore, their opinions of you and the advice they give you. The impact is usually strong as the rules of religion and culture are typically quite rigid with little room for compromise.
The main conflict this has with dating, is with partners who have not been brought up in the same culture or religion. Dating and relationships require understanding and compromise. Religions and culture tend not to, inasmuch as living your life by their set of rules is concerned, allow room for compromise.
But having said that, I am not saying religious or cultural beliefs in you or a potential partner are bad, or good. In fact I am not even saying they will inhibit or help the development of your relationship. Rather, I am saying, depending on the people involved, they can do either.
You may be Asian and eastern culture may be very important to you. Dating someone else who places similar importance on such traditions can promote harmony in your relationship and assist with your personal growth. This is due to your synchronised life views.
If on the other hand your are dating someone who is steeped in Asian traditions, yet you are a westerner and do not understand eastern culture, you may find it difficult to understand the opinions and viewpoints of your partner. This can cause conflict and misunderstanding in a fledgling relationship. It will certainly require greater compromise and understanding between the two of you.
Religion works in a similar manner. For example, if you are Christian or Jewish and living within the faith is important to you, your life will be much less complex if your partner is Jewish or Christian also. The shared views on morality and life will help you grow together and make good decisions when faced with issues of conscience.
Contrarily, forming a relationship with religious people without having any understanding of their faith is always going to bring unique challenges not experienced in other relationships.
This article is an idea. It has been written to promote thought, understanding and compromise. These three things are pillars of any successful relationship. Many inter-culture and inter-religion relationship exist today and are very successful. So don't shy away from them, just love and understand the needs of your partner.
This is a good thing when the person cares about you enough to recognise the important things to you. They then use their influence to make you a better person. Often though, people have their own agenda and will use their influence to build on their own ideals and values, rather than recognising you are a different person with a different perspective on life.
Culture and religious views can be very influential in this regard. If you date a partner who has strong cultural or religious views, it is going to impact their life views and therefore, their opinions of you and the advice they give you. The impact is usually strong as the rules of religion and culture are typically quite rigid with little room for compromise.
The main conflict this has with dating, is with partners who have not been brought up in the same culture or religion. Dating and relationships require understanding and compromise. Religions and culture tend not to, inasmuch as living your life by their set of rules is concerned, allow room for compromise.
But having said that, I am not saying religious or cultural beliefs in you or a potential partner are bad, or good. In fact I am not even saying they will inhibit or help the development of your relationship. Rather, I am saying, depending on the people involved, they can do either.
You may be Asian and eastern culture may be very important to you. Dating someone else who places similar importance on such traditions can promote harmony in your relationship and assist with your personal growth. This is due to your synchronised life views.
If on the other hand your are dating someone who is steeped in Asian traditions, yet you are a westerner and do not understand eastern culture, you may find it difficult to understand the opinions and viewpoints of your partner. This can cause conflict and misunderstanding in a fledgling relationship. It will certainly require greater compromise and understanding between the two of you.
Religion works in a similar manner. For example, if you are Christian or Jewish and living within the faith is important to you, your life will be much less complex if your partner is Jewish or Christian also. The shared views on morality and life will help you grow together and make good decisions when faced with issues of conscience.
Contrarily, forming a relationship with religious people without having any understanding of their faith is always going to bring unique challenges not experienced in other relationships.
This article is an idea. It has been written to promote thought, understanding and compromise. These three things are pillars of any successful relationship. Many inter-culture and inter-religion relationship exist today and are very successful. So don't shy away from them, just love and understand the needs of your partner.
About the Author:
Jayde Johanssen recognises that jewish dating sites serve an important role in bringing jewish singles together in harmony and love
