Lesson 6 115 Copyright 2018 Marline E. Pearson 3. Your partner is nice, but truthfully you’ve really started to like someone else. 4. You see he/she isn’t perfect and you have some disagreements. 5. Your feelings have changed. You just don’t feel the same about him or her as you did the first few weeks. 6. The two of you are fighting more and more and are unable to really talk things out. Also, your partner puts you down. Arguments feel scary sometimes. 7. Your partner’s feelings are stronger than yours. He or she is pushing for a level of commitment you don’t feel or want yet. 8. You feel smothered by the relationship and your partner tries to keep you from doing important things. 9. You want your partner to stop drinking and he/she is getting help to do so. Point out that one of the most common reasons for young people breaking up is that one or both persons’ feelings change: (PP) ❖ After the love chemicals settle down a bit, it becomes clear what you see in each other. You may decide you really don’t fit as you see the person more clearly—as you learn more about their true character, personality, values, interests. Neither of you is at fault. Your personalities just don’t work together. ❖ Or, after the chemistry settles a bit, you may discover problem behaviors. You may detect issues or problems that make it difficult to have a relationship, like drugs, alcohol, or anger. Or your values about sex don’t sync up. ❖ Although two people may like each other, one may simply not be ready for that level of commitment. He or she still wants to experience other people and places and doesn’t want to close the door to dating other people. Discussion: Common Reasons for Breakups