Political arguments can destroy couples therapist reveals 3 ways to save a relationship

More than one-third of Americans report having ended a relationship over political differences, according to recent research – and experts say those divisions may also be straining some marriages.Some high-profile couples, including Democratic strategist James Carville and his wife, Republican political consultant Mary Matalin, have remained together despite their differing views – but experts say navigating those differences isn’t always easy.Anna Elton, Ph.D., a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical sexologist in Massachusetts, said she has counseled couples on different sides of the political aisle.“A lot of couples come in and they want to work on communication, and politics can come up in our sessions,” Elton, author of “The Formula of Desire,” told Fox News Digital.“I work with a number of couples who are in this place where they have a family, they have kids, but they can’t talk about politics.”For many singles, Elton said, political compatibility is now something they consider early in the dating process.She referenced a recent study that found younger adults tend to make assumptions about religion, gender roles, empathy and other characteristics based on political affiliation.“So, before you get to know the person, you’ve already created this assumption of who this person is.” Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.Please provide a valid email.

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“I’ve definitely been hearing from my younger clients who are saying, ‘I want to know which political party this person belongs to, and then I’ll see if I want to even be going on a date and wasting my time with this person.’”For couples who have been married for decades, today’s political divisions may present challenges that didn’t exist when their relationships began, Elton noted.The expert ...