Why Are We So Enamored With “Struggle Love?”
The idea that you must go through unnecessary pain in a relationship is toxic.
The term “struggle love” is not some phrase I found in a scholarly article. I created it to describe a trend I am noticing.
To me, struggle love is the belief that for a couple to grow one or both people must inflict emotional, physical, and/or psychological pain within the relationship. This pain will allow the couple to reach new levels in their relationship. Once they get through to “the other side” they will reap the benefits of the anguish they endured.
We see this a lot in Hollywood. Instagram is full #Couplegoals. A celebrity writes an exceptionally long caption shouting out their partner for sticking by their side. Usually, the IG post is worded in a way that alludes to the celebrity participating in unfavorable activities while their partner endured it all.
T.I. did this a few years ago when he made an Instagram post telling the world that his relationship with Tiny “supersedes fidelity.”
Of course, these types of social media posts lead to debate filled conversations on what people need to or need not to do in relationships.
This year we were introduced to the infamous “entanglement” of Will, Jayda, and…
