Ethical dilemma #030
You love hiking and your partner does not want to join you. Would you end the relationship over it?
You love long hikes, but your partner does not enjoy them. You want them to join you every Sunday, and they are starting to say no.
Related reflectionExpecting Too Much From a Partner Can Strain a Good Relationship↗What would you do in this situation?
Choose an answer before continuing.
The context
Hiking in the countryside is one of the parts of the week you enjoy most. Your partner has joined you several times, but ends up exhausted and says they would rather rest or make other plans on Sundays. In other ways you get along well and enjoy being together.
You imagined a relationship where you shared all those outings. You can insist that your partner join you, hike with friends and set aside another activity for the two of you, or break up because this activity matters so much to you. You want to share something you enjoy, but do not want the other person to go out of obligation. You also wonder whether you are assuming that a partner should cover every part of your life.
A perspective to continue
Sharing a life does not require sharing every activity. What do you need to experience with your partner, and what can you also enjoy with other people?
04
What your decision prioritizes
You seek to share your favorite activity. The other person might feel their preferences count less than yours.
You keep the activity and give room to their interests. You will need to set aside shared time so you do not stop seeing each other.
You recognize a personal priority. You might lose a relationship that works in many other parts of your life.
How other people responded
Percentages will appear after enough responses have been collected.
0 recorded decisions
05
Your partner explains that these hikes cause pain in one knee. They had not said so because they wanted time with you and hoped to get used to it.
Now that you know this, would you stand by your decision?
Stand by it
The new information does not change your decision. Consider whether your original reasons still hold in light of what you have just learned.
Change it
What you have just learned leads you to choose a different response. Which detail changed how you see the situation?
I need to know more
The new information leaves you with an important question. What would you need to ask before acting?
0% changed their mind after learning the new context
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