Is The Election Straining Your Relationships? You Aren't Alone.
by Suzanne Monaghan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- At odds with a friend, family member, or spouse about the presidential election? You're not alone. This race is poking at people's hot button issues with a cattle prod.
This is an election of trickle down emotions.
"It's really touching raw nerves everywhere. Race. Gender. Religion. It's cutting a swath through our personal beliefs," said Frank Farley, a Temple University Psychology Professor.
Farley usually advises couples to communicate about disagreements, but if a couple is strongly divided on the presidential election, it might be best to pick your battles.
"Sometimes it's just not worth it to get into fights over things that are fairly remote, where you have not a huge influence," he said.
But he says this election is largely about the character of the candidates and therefore can make you question the character of your partner if their beliefs are different that yours.
Farley says it's important to know that arguing your opinion will not change the opinion of the other person and even though the election feels personal, it doesn't directly affect your relationship.