Both are important; and both are subject to deep disrespect in far too many relationships.
Just consider the negative connotation from the expression "having a past"; it's particularly nasty when applied to women, unfortunately.
And for problems with heritage, when was the last time you heard an in-law joke? Not long ago, I'll bet.
Disrespect for either your mate's personal history or their heritage is a not-so-subtle way to disrespect the person. It's also a way to maintain an unhealthy form of control in the relationship.
When you marry, you don't build a life with a person new-spring from the palm of God's hand; you marry a complex web of past relationships, experiences, family, and genealogy. The wedding limousine can get crowded; not to mention the marriage bed.
Let's deal with your spouse's past, first. The approach to showing respect is pretty simple: never bring up anything negative from their past, and never, ever reference current behavior to what you know of their past.
It can take discipline, but it's absolutely necessary. When you bring up "those friends you used to hang out with", you're locking your mate into a past that they can't escape. They may have tried; they may have gone a long way from the irresponsible of younger days.
And when you bring it up, you're negating all the work they did, and saying "you really haven't changed at all".
Based on the past - you've appointed yourself judge and jury, with no hope of appeal.
What you know of your spouse's past, that you don't like...you've got to let it go. That's the beginning and the end of respect.
Respect for heritage is a bit different, because you have to key your respectful attitude to your spouse's view of their family history.
It can be a tightrope walk. Remember the old saying - me against my brother; my brother and I against our cousin; my brother, my cousin and I against the world.
There may be little love lost in your mate's family, but blood can be quite thick, and you're not "of the blood".
That means that your mate may feel fine being extremely critical of "the family"; but you try it and you'll find yourself pilloried, and wondering what hit you.
By the same token, if you defend the "black sheep" of your spouse's family, you can wind up soundly disliked by everyone - including the black sheep.
The best way to show respect is to be agreeable..and never take any side expect that of your mate, and then only in a supporting role. Never take the initiative in either praise or censure of your mate's family, and make sure that your emotions remain as unengaged as possible.
Respect for your mate's past and heritage can be a challenge, the biggest challenge of all, because it fundamentally requires you to...
...keep your mouth shut, and your opinions to yourself.
(Please don't forget to visit my other blog, www.dailygracequote.wordpress.com, for a quotation and a short commentary of grace in marriage.)
This post is linked to Wedded Wednesday, a compendium of really cool posts on marriage. If you click on the logo below, you'll be taken to www.messymarriage.com, which is the springboard to a wealth of information. It's run by Beth Steffaniak, who has a heart for marriage and a soul for God!
I agree with the sentiment of this, Andrew. And in your situation, it seems like the best of all the possible options. However, my husband and I do talk about our families and the dysfunctions that are or have been there and it has helped us to understand each other more and given us wisdom to forge a different course. I do agree that criticizing your mates family is a big mistake! In the same way that I am more riled by those who criticize my husband than when they criticize me, I know that my hubby has a fierce devotion to his mother (at least) and would not view my criticism as welcome AT ALL. I really enjoy these posts you've done on the pillars of marriage, my friend. So much wisdom!
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth - you raise a good point, that mutual discussion of family issues can be beneficial. It still needs respect; but where the ground rules have been established, either implicitly or explicitly, this can strengthen the marriage.
DeleteIt takes much restraint, but is such a freeing gift.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shelli!
DeleteI completely agree with how to deal with a spouse's past! Dealing with a spouse's family is also tricky. I discovered that it took about 14 years of marriage before we could have rational discussions about each other's immediate family members ;). A lot of our discussions arose from my m-i-l's contorlling behavior that my husband kept excusing...until she cut our daughter's hair without asking permission and it really upset my husband--he finally understood my point of view and we've been able to have polite, rational discussions about how to deal with her every since :).
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'd be pretty upset about that as well!
DeleteI'm so glad that you've reached a place where you can talk about the m-i-l's behaviour. So many couples never do; it ends up as automatic defensiveness to a perceived attack, a kind of auto-da-fe of destruction.
Thanks for stopping by - and I like "blestbutstrest"; I will admit that it took a few minutes of head-scratching to figure it out.