Can an argument ever really be constructive or is it destructive?

Question

Let me see your views.

Answer 1

If you are talking about the typical lovers spat - not too bad, they can highlight some things about the other party that would be quite helpful

If you are talking about the knock-down-drag-em-out type where you start going for the cheap put-down, insulting each other, then each others families & friends, then dredging up every mistake from the last 5 years with lots of really foul languauge thrown in- pretty DISTRUCTIVE. You say things you can't un-say!

Try this;
* How much emotion am I investing in this `discussion`?
* Am I talking with a level head?
* Am I sticking to the facts?
* Am I willing to say "sorry", "I didnt know you felt like that" (or the like)
* Am I want to learn something?
* Am I wanting THEM to learn something?

Or forget all that, you can measure how constructive an arguement is by asking "Will any pet or person end up bleeding or limping?"

Good luck?

Answer 2

♥ An argument can be constructive or destructive. Its more constructive when it turns into more of a [[discussion]], when each party listens wholeheartedly and understands before the end of the discussion/arguement. Its destructive when everyone is screaming, cursing, not listening, etc... it takes much longer to get over this.... and its much more harmful to the realtionships.

Answer 3

i think it does you good to have a good argument every now and then,it gets rid of unwanted built up tension come frustration for whatever reason. when i have a argument ill let rip with my views,but also listen to the other view and then that's me done,its gone its done and dusted,as far as I'm concerned,i hate it when someone drags it out for days,in my opinion stress your views and that's it. we can all learn a great deal from a good argument,so i would say they are constructive..xx

Answer 4

an argument is just people disagreeing, so i would say its destructive. now if you turn the argument into more of a discussion it has a lot of potential to become constructive. it really depends on the mindset of the participants.

Answer 5

most arguments on bigger issues in the world seem to be destructive - leading to wars and stuff, the smaller ones like about who forgot to take out the trash are constructive as inevitably leads to working something out between the arguers

Answer 6

argument is not a debate , it is the show of Power Play... who is superior,, to the other... and who ever wins. would have destroyed the other... So argument is destructive... but some times one has to destroy also to do Construction e.g. you buy a plot of land where old bldg is standing.. You want to have house of your dream design so naturally you will destroy that house... old rubble have to be remove... It is how one looks at the things .. argue to win, argue to destroy argue to recreate...

Answer 7

Destructive. Arguments can only be resolved by CALMLY discussing things with each other. Arguing leads to hurt feelings.

Answer 8

arguments r supposed 2b constructive since ur expressing ur views... but when it heats up & nobody wants 2 listen 2d other party then it gets destructive

Answer 9

I would rather discuss and talk it out than argue, arguments mostly only cause hard feelings that are to difficult to take back later, hard feelings last a long time

Answer 10

depends on who's arguing!
the wife is constructive i'm destructive