Political fights can rip couples apart — therapist shares 3 ways to save a relationship

Oz touts Medicare fraud crackdown, TrumpRx drug savings Alcohol is 'losing its status' among Gen Z: Dr. Anna Elton discusses why partisan disagreements can create tension between partners, and offers strategies for setting boundaries, staying curious and reconnecting after heated conversations.

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.

What Happened

Anna Elton, PhD, a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical sexologist in Massachusetts, said she has counseled couples on different sides of the political aisle. For many singles, Elton said, political compatibility is now something they consider early in the dating.

• Sharing reassuring words like "I love you" and "you matter to me more than anything else" can be helpful, she said.

• After a disagreement or failure to compromise, it’s important to always reconnect with your partner, she emphasized.

• The therapist also encouraged couples to focus on areas of common ground rather than viewing disagreements in black-and-white terms.

Key Details

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. For couples who have been married for decades, today's political divisions may present challenges that didn't exist.

• She also recommended looking at the same information together, allowing each partner to ask questions and draw their own conclusions rather than jumping into a heated debate.

• Elton urged couples not to take political disagreements personally and instead approach them with curiosity.

• "It's not going to affect our relationship."

Why It Matters

The expert offered the following three tips for navigating politically charged conversations with a partner in a healthy way. Come up with rules for the conversation and set the tone before it starts, Elton suggested, noting that the first three minutes of.

• While couples with differing political views are unlikely to agree on every issue, "agreeing to disagree" can help prevent hostility.

• She also suggested setting aside one phone-free date night each week to encourage face-to-face connection.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by Fox News as more details emerge