Now let’s look at interpersonal relationships. “Interpersonal relationships refer to direct psychological relationships that are formed in the process of social exchange and interpersonal interaction” (Bi, Ma, Yuan, & Zhang, 2016, p. 36). This type of interaction refers to the interactions we may have with our own friends and/or peers and the people we may involve ourselves with on a daily basis (i.e. teachers, coaches, parents, etc.). Interpersonal relationships can be either negative or positive, depending on the interaction that we have with individual people. For example, if we develop a relationship with a peer and believe that this person is someone that is supportive and shows genuine concern about our wellbeing, this peer may become a lifetime friend, as we have learned that we can depend on that person. When people that we meet are negative to us, it lets us know that we do not want to develop a relationship with them. We may want to avoid these people or be careful in how we interact around them, as we do not know what they may or may not be capable of.

Though basic relationships are something that everyone goes through, even if we are a person that enjoys being alone, an extrovert, or an introvert, there are other types of relationships that we may experience. The first relationship that we address is the romantic relationship. This relationship is one that many people experience, whether it is our first love or our fourth marriage. It is one where people feel a connection and love for the another. Though not all romantic relationships end in marriage, it is one relationship that we put the most passion into.

Our next relationship is parasitic. In a parasitic relationship, one of the partners within the relationship feels that every movement depends on the other person, that he/she cannot do anything without that other person. That one partner has no independence of his/her own. When looking at the next relationship, we look at what the other individual is bringing into the commitment. This type of relationship is called symbiotic. The people in this relationship are extreme people who have personalities that are at two different ends of the spectrum. These people can come together as one within the relationship and are able to develop a balance.

The next relationship may be a typical relationship that everyone experiences. This relationship is called platonic. In the platonic relationship, the two partners realize that there is not a romantic relationship, however they have a healthy friendship with each other. However, all relationships are not healthy or capable of having a balance. The next relationship is dysfunctional. This relationship is one that even the outsiders looking in, feel it is unhealthy for the people involved. Those within the relationship are not capable of agreeing about anything and may fight and argue a lot. There is not balance or comfort within the relationship and the partners try to avoid each other. As we have discussed these relationships, are you able to identify which types of relationships you are currently in, or have been in?

The next thing that we discuss is gender. Watch the Tedtalk, Gender is Not a Straight-Line with Charlie Hobman. This video discusses gender and how it is not just something simple that can be defined in a dictionary. As we begin to talk about gender, keep in mind the relationships that we have just discussed. Gender – how would you define it? “American society has traditionally assigned gender based on newborn genitalia, using the male and female binary” (Sullivan, Guzman, & Lancellotti, 2017, p. 7). But does the gender binary that you are labeled with at birth, truly identify who you are and/or how you feel? There are several types of genders that individuals relate to: heterosexual, transgender, lesbian, bisexual, gay, and queer. Looking at these different genders, how would you relate these to the relationships that where just discussed? Do you see a difference in how the roles may be played within the relationship, or would they all play the same part as any other relationship that people may be in?

We never really know what may come or how we will deal with something until we are faced with certain situations, especially when it comes to relationships and gender. For example, you are in a relationship with a person who has children. As you watch these children grow, you are shocked that these children whom you have known for over a decade, who had always dated the opposite gender from their won, are now married to a partner of the same gender. It does not change who they are, as they are still the same children that they have always been. But it opens your mind, that we do not know how gender really works, as people change who they are daily. The relationships that the children have are healthier now than they were when they had relationships with the opposite gender.

Watch the Tedtalk, Mars Brain, Venus Brain, which discusses the differences in men and women. As men and women, we are all put into a stereotype by how we act, look, dress, and where we may work. During this week, do an inventory of the people around you. What did you hear and see? Did it make you more aware of those around you, are were you already familiar with how those people act?

As we continue to discuss relationships, love, intimacy, and other family dynamics during the next couple of weeks, remember the different types of relationships and genders, and continue to keep an open mind about what we are discussing. Also continue to think about the dynamics around you and the roles that you see people play within their relationships.

References

Bi, Y., Ma, L., Yuan, F., Zhang, B. (2016). Self-esteem, perceived stress, and gender during adolescence: Interactive links to different types of interpersonal relationships. The Journal of Psychology, 150(1), 36-57.

Sullivan, K., Guzman, A., Lancellotti, D. (2017, May). Nursing communication and the gender identity spectrum. American Nurse Today, 12(5), 6-10.

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