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Unrealistic expectations can set your relationship up to fail. But there are so many false relationship rules floating around out there -- that girls should never call guys first, that men should always pay for dates -- it's hard to know what you should believe. "Many people grow up believing the Hollywood version of love, but just because something is in a movie doesn't mean it's true," says Joel Block, PhD, a couples therapist and co-author of "Sex Comes First: 15 Ways to Help Your Relationship -- Without Leaving the Bedroom."
So, we asked him to weigh in on some of the most popular relationship myths and give us the real story.
10 Relationship Myths Debunked
The Myth: Your rebound relationship could really last
The Truth: Sure, and Paris Hilton could win an Oscar. You need time to heal after a relationship and if you jump into another commitment, you probably won't be in the headspace to make it last long term.
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The Myth: You should love each other equally
The Truth: Love isn't easily measured, but most strong relationships have one person who is more accommodating and doting than the other person.
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The Myth: All men fear commitment
The Truth: Plenty of men yearn to be in long-term relationships. Even commitment-phobes aren't actually fearing being in a relationship, they're just nervous about losing some of their freedom.
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The Myth: You should always agree
The Truth: Can you imagine how boring it would be if you and your partner were always on the same page. What really makes for a successful pairing is when you can disagree and still respect where the other person is coming from.
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The Myth: Grand romantic gestures are crucial to making love work
The Truth: Carriage rides and fancy surprise dinners aren't what keep your bond strong. Instead, everyday gestures- picking up each other's favorite ice cream or texting to say "I love u"- are the true signs of lasting love.
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The Myth: Opposites Attract
The Truth: Sure, someone that is wildly different may intrigue you, but it doesn't work in the long run. If you're extremely different, you'll constantly be frustrated and butting heads.
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The Myth: Love can get you through anything
The Truth: Hardly. You can love some one deeply, but some problems- addictions, terrible family members, etc.- are just too big to overcome.
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The Myth: You should know everything about each other
The Truth: You should know a lot about your partner, but some mystery will keep things fresh. So, there's really know need to share how many guys you've slept with or what your waxing schedule is.
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The Myth: You should feel "in love" with your partner every second
The Truth: Those feelings of strong, undying love ebb and flow in any relationship. It's totally natural to want to occasionally wring your partner's neck.
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The Myth: Love at first sight exists
The Truth: You may be attracted to someone right off the bat, but you definitely can't know you love someone just by looking at him or her. Those feelings tell a little more time to build and require having conversations.
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Thursday 30 April
By michelle
this is stupid...i disagree with many...like the one to not let your partner know about # of partners you've had
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Sunday 03 May
By S
I disagree with Myth# 10. There's nothing wrong with knowing everything about each other but there isn't a need for a meeting to learn everything about each other. You learn as you go and the most important thing is knowing that you love the person for who they are not for someone who you think they are but hopefully that is figured out before you want to spend the rest of your life with that person. lol
Myth #11- I do believe in love at first sight but that's not based on just attraction, which most people view it that way. It's having intuition overall not just looks! Superficial people these days. lol You''ll ask "How do you know a person?" Sometimes we know if someone is good or not. It's just natural intuition. You just know. Its either if you believe in it or not. Don't confuse it with lust or desire though.
Friday 01 May
By elkabong2k
where the heck are the 10 myths? this article is broken.
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Friday 01 May
By prisciperez
!YEAH!... You had me intruiged by the title, but where are the "TOP 10 MYTHS"?
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Friday 01 May
By Keriana
Whats with the pic of Patrick Swayze and Gary Busy??
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Friday 01 May
By me#2
Michelle -- as for telling your current partner the number of past partners you've had, that can be a double edged sword. Some people, male & female alike, may find your "conquests" a problem while others may not.
Others looking for the 10 myths -- click on the slide show with Kermit & Miss Piggy. :)
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Sunday 03 May
By S
I don't see a reason to bring up the past especially if it involves negative topics that can spark up jealous feelings etc. Truthfully, I might be curious in how many people my partner has been with but that's really the least of my concerns. People are not perfect and make mistakes. All I have to say is if you want to know something please make sure that you really do. If you're not able to handle the truth then you really don't want to know the truth. That is do not ask questions that you can't answer if you were asked. From experience it seems to be that the people who are asking questions that are irrelevant to the relationship are people who are insecure, jealous, and judgmental.
Sunday 03 May
By Carol
I don't belive in many of them, and would never tell my partner how many I conquered.Might come back to bite you in the butt. and as for loving one another the same, Was also told, let the Man love you more. I don't show to much of what I'm thinking to a guy,always works..
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