Why
is it that co-dependence carries such a negative connotation? Is a
codependent relationship really such a terrible thing? Of course it
is very clear that some people carry the whole codependent attitudes
too far, which essentially means that the partners in the
relationship are co existing in an unhealthy way.
The
word codependent came about when discussing alcoholics and drug
addicts. Family who care for addicts and alcoholics are said to be in
codependent relationships with the addict. It only becomes unhealthy
when the carer of the addict does things for the addict that they can
do on their own. For example, an alcoholic vomits all over the floor
and his carer cleans it up, He or she should be making the addict
clean up their own vomit.
However,
there are times when co-dependence is not a bad thing. Codependent
couples are extremely loyal to each other, they care for each other,
defend each other when someone is putting one of them down and they
often will do things for each other out of the goodness of their
hearts, nothing more, nothing less. So where do you draw the line
when it comes to co-dependence?
This
is a couple who are not alcoholics or even addicted to anything at
all. They are seemingly healthy physically and mentally, yet they
engage in codependent behaviors all the time. If one spouse is
covering up something bad that the other spouse did, then perhaps it
is codependency on an unhealthy scale, but where we see a marriage of
two people who absolutely adore each other and want to do things for
each other all the time, I have say what in the heck is wrong with
that?
A
relationship which is all about two people loving each other, even if
their behavior is codependent, simply cannot be a bad thing. There is
more about this topic in my article: Pro’s and Con’s of Codependence.
So what do you think? Can a codependent relationship be healthy? Hit the comments with your thoughts and please; no spam and be polite and respectful.
Copyright
2013 Janelle Coulton - All Rights Reserved
This article cannot be republished or reprinted without the express permission of the author in writing. A short summary with a link back to the article is allowed.
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