Application of Relational theory

    It is true that we all like to be loved or to love someone. This is the human nature that all humanity tends to receive fulfillment from when they have friends and are loved. We cannot ignore the fact that more than often, we as humans, desire support systems which helps to reduce loneliness. The relational theory asserts that the fundamental human need is the establishment of genuine and mutual association in a relationship. According to the relational theory, it asserts that friend relationship often presents an intricate set of challenges that arise from the background and interactional dialects which friends generate and manage.

    Finding the true meaning of friendship is quite hard and that is the sole reason as to why maintaining a friendship is a hard task. Friendship does not only offer a chance to learn about each other differences, but it also presents challenges due to these differences (Ziemann 2013). The differences that exist between my friend and I allow for us to grow and become strong together. This is what we term as beauty in diversity as we learn to appreciate the different personalities between us and accept each other despite all the differences.

    Friendship relationships are quite unique as they have voluntary quality and are full of freedoms which are relevant to the friendship. This form of relationship is that of a choice and hence, commitment is required for the relationship to thrive and be successful. Each party has to commit themselves to continuously find the way to have relational dynamics so as to maintain and grow in the relationship (Mcmanus 2004). According to relational theory, tension is one of the aspects of relationships and thus no one can get rid of these tensions. Conflicts in a relationship are natural and a progressive part of a relationship. The main aim of a conflict is not to get rid of a relationship but rather to manage it and make it stronger. However, we simply have to learn how to manage these tensions (Lusk 2008).

    In order to avoid conflicts between my friend and me, we usually manage each other freedom hence allowing each and every one of us to be independent. Honesty is indeed a virtue in our relationship. However, there are times when one can predict that tension will yield up after being honest about a given subject and thus it may end up hurting the other person. In such cases, we usually find ways of expressing honesty in a careful manner. Everyone wants to trust in the honesty of each other’s comments but at the same time friends trust each other not to be insensitive with their comments about a subject that only close friends know (Lusk 2008).  We are always willing to discuss our relationship with each other and hence we are often able to confide in each other, to disclose our thoughts and feelings. This allows for a response from the relational partner about the relationship and it brings about closeness and building of trust between each other. In doing so, we save our friendship from breaking up due to the minor tensions (Mcmanus 2004).

            Basing on the discussion above, it is important to note that for every relationship to exist, relational partners must sacrifice some personal autonomy but it should be balanced as having too much connection may result to loss of an individual’s identity.

 

 

 

 

 

References

Lusk, H. M. (2008). A study of dialectical theory and its relation to interpersonal relationships.

Mcmanus, t. G. (2004). Dealing with tensions: managing relational dialectics in the post-divorce             parent-child relationship (doctoral dissertation, university of cincinnati).

Ziemann, C. (2013). Relational Dialectics: Friends or More?. The Corinthian, 14(1), 5.