Control Issues That Cause Marriage Problems


Have you ever been irritated because your spouse does things differently than you do? Do you get upset if he or she has different opinions and makes different choices than you would? If so, you have bumped up against some of your own personal control issues and triggers in your marriage. Here are three important points to consider:

1. Fear underlies control issues.

Control issues cause problems in many marriages. The feelings you experience at those times can be very intense and may include rage at the other person. Most people feel more secure when others around them mirror their opinions, beliefs, and choices. Your safety needs and fears contribute to your wanting others to be just like you. The old adage, "There is safety in numbers," refers to this primitive fear of standing alone.

Also, many people feel more in control when they can predict the behavior of others and when others meet their expectations. Then they don't have to experience the discomfort of growing, changing, or stretching themselves. Instead, they can pretend that their world is logical, orderly, predictable, and safe.

2. Thinking your spouse should be just like you harms your marriage.

Your control issues are also triggered by viewing your spouse as an extension of yourself. This perception can result in trying to dictate which clothes your spouse wears, how she wears her hair, who she is friends with, what political views she holds, and what she can or cannot do. While your spouse may initially make some changes trying to keep the peace, you are creating a parent-child dynamic in your relationship that will eventually foster rebellion and resentment.

3. Using insults and name calling are attempts to regain control.

While nothing sinister is involved in many control issues in relationships, pathological behavior can be triggered in some instances. For example, a partner who is angry that the spouse did not follow his dictates could become physically and emotionally abusive. The partner may think he has the right to "punish" the other person. Name calling and derogatory put-downs, such as "What a stupid thing to do," are often used to re-establish control over the other person.

It's easy to point a finger at your spouse and to state that he or she needs to change. It's hard to face your own unresolved issues head-on and take responsibility for how you need to change. As you become more aware of control issues in your marriage, the starting place for change is always with yourself and your response to what is happening.

Nancy J. Wasson, Ph.D., is co-author of Keep Your Marriage: What to Do When Your Spouse Says "I don't love you anymore!" This is available as an e-book at http://www.KeepYourMarriage.com ,where you can also sign up for the free Keep Your Marriage Internet Magazine. Nancy can be contacted at Nancy@KeepYourMarriage.com.







Related News



Florida governor's bride-to-be chooses her gown for Dec. 12 wedding - Sun-Sentinel.com

Florida governor's bride-to-be chooses her gown for Dec. 12 wedding
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL -Dec 1, 2008
Hung's salon is also altering cream-colored, floor-length dresses purchased elsewhere for Rome's two preteen daughters from a previous marriage, ...
Gays to Demonstrate at Fla. Gov. Crist’s MarriageEDGE Boston
Gay rights group to protest at Crist's weddingWWSB ABC 7
Charlie Crist's fiancee to wear silk gown to the nuptialsABC Action News
Palm Beach Post
all 41 news articles


The dearer the wedding, the poorer the marriage - Telegraph.co.uk

The dearer the wedding, the poorer the marriage
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom -19 hours ago
By Rowan Pelling It's no wonder the institution of marriage is in meltdown. The cost of the average wedding has doubled in a decade and now stands at just ...

California lawmakers decry gay wedding ban - United Press International

California lawmakers decry gay wedding ban
United Press International -2 hours ago
Prop 8 would amend the state constitution to restrict marriage to heterosexual couples, ending a brief period in which it was legal for same-sex couples to ...

Wedding Videography: The Best Way to Share Your Love Stories Over Time - Best Syndication

Best Syndication

Wedding Videography: The Best Way to Share Your Love Stories Over Time
Best Syndication, CA -1 hour ago
It is a perfect way to show to your friends how love has kept your family together, may it be 25 or 50 years of marriage. This wedding videography is long ...

Julianne Hough to Hear Wedding Bells? - Great American Country

Julianne Hough to Hear Wedding Bells?
Great American Country, TN -2 hours ago
3, 2008 — If Julianne Hough ends up walking down the aisle, she might want to skip the traditional white wedding dress in favor of a paisley one. ...

Marriage most common path to US citizenship, residency for foreign ... - WND.com

WND.com

Marriage most common path to US citizenship, residency for foreign ...
WND.com, OR -15 hours ago
I know brothers who entered the US with the scam of the wedding publications, claiming they were Egyptians and not revealing their true identity and they ...

Why Impact Florida will demonstrate outside of Governor Crist’s ... - Creative Loafing Tampa

Why Impact Florida will demonstrate outside of Governor Crist’s ...
Creative Loafing Tampa, FL -2 hours ago
We are not opposing or trying to stop the wedding. (That would be pretty silly since Impact Florida is explicitly and enthusiastically pro-marriage. ...

Heidi Montag's Mom Says Marriage To Spencer Pratt Will Last 'Six ... - MTV.com

MTV.com

Heidi Montag's Mom Says Marriage To Spencer Pratt Will Last 'Six ...
MTV.com -1 hour ago
'It wouldn't surprise me if he had her drugged,' Darlene Egelhoff says of the 'Hills' stars' wedding. By Jocelyn Vena Heidi Montag's mom is not happy that ...

6 Common Mistakes on Your Wedding Day - Best Syndication

Best Syndication

6 Common Mistakes on Your Wedding Day
Best Syndication, CA -2 hours ago
The marriage license. There are many rules and regulations pertaining to a marriage license. These rules usually vary from state to state. ...
A Career As an Event PlannerBest Syndication
all 2 news articles

Brad Pitt On Today: Make It Right, Marriage, Adoption Fears (VIDEO) - Huffington Post

The Age

Brad Pitt On Today: Make It Right, Marriage, Adoption Fears (VIDEO)
Huffington Post, NY -Dec 2, 2008
... and potential wedding plans with partner Angelina Jolie. "If we feel it's important to our kids, we would," he said of marriage, adding of his six kids, ...
Brangelina Marriage Depends on the KidsTango
How the Oscars race is shaping upTVNZ
Brad opens up about marriageCroydon Advertiser
all 654 news articles