Is some gentle sparring -- not fighting, but, sparring -- critical to a healthy relationship? Why/why not?

Answer 1

I used to think that sparring was a natural part of any relationship, and had twenty years of relationships with various degrees of sparring and fighting, but in the year-plus with the woman I'm dating now, we haven't had so much as a spat, and it's the healthiest relationship I've ever had.

It's possible to be on a similar wavelength with your partner that there's very little need for compromise and such gratitude for that that the compromises that are made don't feel like real sacrifices, and there's just not a lot to spar, much less fight, over. When you've built up a certain degree of trust and communication with your partner, there's a reservoir of good-will that makes it easier to avoid disputes, both because issues are resolved before they blow up and because it's understood that any problems are not arising out of malice.

Answer 2

I am not sure what you are referring to, exercise?

Personally, I don't think that it is healthy. While we are faced with conflict everyday it shouldn't be with our mates.

Man, generally regard contests as must win deals. Example, two men skiing on a hill, look down the mountain and one says to the other, "Race you down to the bottom".
Two women in the same situation would probably say something more along the lines of "Let's go down together".

Point is, if mates compete with one and other, someone will win and someone will lose. It doesn't sound healthy to me.

Answer 3

Conflict is an essential and inevitable part to any intimate relationship - but it needs to be done with rules - no abuse!!