Is political opinion a determining factor while choosing partners?

Everything is politicalrdquo is a popular saying indicating how politics permeates every aspect of life from economics to social settings But does it also influence personal relationships including dating preferencesThe people of Maharashtra are heading to pollstoday with many being firsttime voters As the role of voting in determining the future of a region and society in general gains more prominence many people now consider political awareness to be a nonnegotiable characteristic in potential partners while datingAmyra name changed 29 believes that her partner shouldnrsquot be ignorant about political and social issues that plague everyday life ldquoI would want my partner to have an opinion on political issues Something might not affect us directly but that doesnrsquot mean we shouldnrsquot have a voice I have been voting since I was eligible to do so and I would expect my partner to do the samerdquoAccording to a survey by Bumble from November 2023 singlestodayseek partners with shared priorities who not only care about social causes but also actively engage in them The report found that 69 per cent of the Indians surveyed are more attracted to someone who actively engages in societal issues and votes Exercising onersquos fundamental right to vote is a green flag for Indians In fact 20 per cent of respondents said that it was a major turnoff for them if the other person did not have an opinion on key social and political issuesThis trend is especially prevalent in younger generations According to the same survey more Indian Gen Z 15 per cent than millennials 12 per cent said they will not date someone who doesnt voteWhile therersquos a growing percentage of people for whom politics is a determining factor while dating for others it isnrsquot a priority ldquoItrsquos okay if the person I am dating doesnrsquot have a strong political opinionrdquo says 22yearold Aryaman BharadwajDating someone with different political viewsIs it just political awareness or does political orientation also matter for datersExplaining why knowing your partnerrsquos political views is important relationship counsellor Ruchi Ruuh says ldquoPolitical orientation often reflects a persons core values beliefs and priorities in life As we now live in a politically polarised world knowing your partners views is crucial It helps individuals understand their perspectives on important societal issues decisionmaking approaches and longterm compatibilityrdquoHowever she adds ldquoIt doesnt necessarily mean you have to agree on everything but awareness can prevent potential misunderstandings and conflicts Even if you are an apolitical person your partners values and choices do affect your life in the long termrdquoIt is due to this reason that Amyra believes in discussing politics before getting into a relationship ldquoWhat the person believes in and cares about matters to me While I would prefer to be with someone whose values and beliefs match mine dating someone who has a different political opinion than me is something I wouldnrsquot mind exploring However the person shouldnrsquot force his views on me and be willing to have healthy conversations on politicsrdquo she sharesAryaman is of a similar opinion ldquoI donrsquot have an issue with someone having a different political opinion than mine but the person shouldnrsquot be an extremist If we are discussing politics it should be a healthy discussion where we both share our thoughts and insights and it shouldnrsquot turn into a fightrdquo he saysWhile some people donrsquot mind accommodating differing political views for others similar beliefs may be nonnegotiable ldquoSome people prioritise shared values and may struggle to connect deeply with someone whose views are opposite theirs Some individuals find it difficult to introduce their different political views dates to their friends just to avoid differences and difficult dynamics Few others might see differing views as an opportunity for growth expansion of their knowledge intellectual challenge or greater diversity in the relationshiprdquo shares RuuhWhat challenges may one encounter while dating someone with different political viewsRuuh shares the following potential challengesIndividuals might feel uncomfortable with political disagreements and incompatible values which may lead to frustration or a sense of disconnectionIt can also create external pressures such as differing views on family traditions or social issuesIndividuals might find themselves struggling with communication challenges that might result in heated debates and unnecessary resentmentHow then can one navigate such situationsSome people may want to make their relationships work despite these differences Ruuh has the following tips for themIdentify and emphasise shared values like mutual respect kindness and a commitment to understanding each others viewsSetting early boundaries by agreeing on how and when to discuss political topics may avoid unnecessary conflictsEmpathising with the otherrsquos point of view is important Just because they have an opposing opinion doesnt mean they are completely wrong Listen actively to your partners perspective without immediately reacting or judgingAccept that some topics may remain unresolved and thats okay one can agree to disagreeFocus on areas where your views align or collaborate on shared goals outside politics Dating isnt just about political or social outlook emotional intelligence and compatibility are a few things that can be focused onAlso ReadMaharashtra elections 2024 What does Mumbairsquos Gen Z want from political leaders