Fairness and Inequality in Couple Relationships

Lots of different kinds of problems can pop up in a couple-relationship.

For example, couples can experience difficulty communicating or working through conflict together. One or both parties might feel underappreciated by their partner. The list goes on.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝘄𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽.

Does the relationship feel fair and balanced to both parties – are they happy with the amount of responsibility they each hold in regards to their relationship, household, and children?

This doesn’t mean that there needs to be an even 50-50 split in parenting tasks or household chores.

It’s not a tit-for-tat situation, and ‘fairness’ is a subjective concept that’s entirely up to the couple.

Both partners consider what feels fair and balanced to them, and they come to an agreement about how to support each other and how to strengthen the relationship.

Using fairness as a starting point in couples’ therapy often cuts straight to the heart of other issues and helps to resolve them.