Americans recognize that ending a relationship can be a legitimate way to resolve conflict. When differences are irreconcilable, when the relationship itself is the problem, or when continued association costs too much, exit provides resolution. Employees quit; businesses end partnerships; couples divorce; friends stop speaking.
These aren’t failures of conflict resolution—they’re a form of resolution. The conflict ends because the relationship ends. Americans value autonomy and voluntary association; no one should be trapped in relationships that don’t work.
When you’ve tried to resolve conflicts within a relationship and it’s not working, consider whether exit might be the right answer. Sometimes the best resolution is to part ways cleanly.
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