The awkward relationship dilemma Aussies can't agree on
By Suki Reid|
Navigating a relationship with an ex-partner can be tricky, especially in a new relationship.
Would you be OK with your partner being friends with an ex?
We asked Aussies what they thought in an exclusive Nine.com.au poll, and the results were divisive.
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Interestingly, 36 per cent of Australians would be OK with their partners having a relationship with their ex.
One respondent shared their experience with this predicament, explaining why they are OK with their boyfriend still being friends with his exes.
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"So my bf [boyfriend] is still friends with all 3 of his exes and I actually don't have a problem with it at all. He hangs out with them from time to time as well which I am also okay with," they began.
"My only request from him is that I don't want to know when they're hanging out and what they're doing. I say this because having an ex comes with a string of past emotions, romance, memories and also friendship that I do not expect my boyfriend to just abandon and forget because of me. I don't think that's very fair, but I do believe trust is a very important element here," they explained.
"I don't think this sort of dynamic can work if one party is insecure or jealous so I think it's important to be very open-minded in a relationship especially while we are young.
"For me personally, I value friendship above all else, so if I am good friends with my ex, I am not willing to abandon them to protect my current relationship."
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However, 51 per cent of Aussies think being friends with an ex is not OK.
"My boyfriend's ex stole thousands of dollars from his dad, then cheated on him. So if he was friends with her, I wouldn't be too pleased about it," another respondent said.
For 13 per cent of Australians, being friends with an ex depends on the situation.
"For relationships where it ended amicably, I think it's fine to be cordial and friendly to an extent. Like the kind of friendship where you say happy birthday and send each other memes. I don't think it's OK to be hanging out one-on-one all the time with an ex."
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"Depends on relationship specifics," another added, echoed by one user who said: "Depends on whether it's an ex that you dated for 2 months, 2 years, 2 decades - and the nature/context of the relationship and breakup etc."
Most agree that when children are involved, a relationship is necessary: "It depends upon if they have Children and that they weren't trying to get their ex-partner back."
The general consensus seems to be that while it isn't always the most comfortable experience, sometimes it is OK for a partner to be friends with their ex, and it depends on the situation.
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