Type “A” personalities are known for their drive, ambition, and often highly organized approach to life. While these traits can be admirable and even attractive, they might also pose challenges in a marital relationship. It’s important to be aware of these potential problems before you officially tie the knot. Here are 12 reasons why marrying someone with a type “A” personality might not be suitable for everyone.
1. Intense Stress Levels
Type “A” individuals often experience high-stress levels due to their self-imposed pressure. They need success and have a drive that sometimes borders on unhealthy. This constant stress can spill over into the relationship, leading to tension and conflict. Their struggle to relax can make downtime together feel strained or even non-existent.
2. Overwhelming Competitiveness
Sometimes, a little competition is healthy. However, people with this type of personality make everything a contest. This often manifests in difficult ways within the relationship. Whether it’s a discussion about who is right or a game of cards, or the need to “win” an argument, this competitiveness can become draining over time.
3. Workaholism
Work, work, work. Type “A” people have nothing else on their minds. They often prioritize their careers above all else, including family and relationships. This workaholic tendency can leave little time for fun activities and romance.
4. Impatience
According to Healthline, people who are type “A” are significantly impatient since their brains are focused on concrete tasks and getting things done. This high-speed, efficiency-driven lifestyle can result in a low tolerance for delays or mistakes. Nobody is perfect, so this type of criticism can take a toll on your partner. This is especially true if they have a more laid-back or relaxed approach to life.
5. Aggressive Behavior
In their quest for success, type “A”s may exhibit aggressive behavior, both verbally and non-verbally. This can manifest as snapping at their partner, making critical remarks, or being generally abrasive. Unfortunately, this sometimes boils over into the territory of emotional abuse, which can be just as traumatizing as physical abuse. This is not the best environment for a happy marriage.
6. Control Issues
A desire for control is a hallmark of this personality type. In a marriage, this need for control can translate into dominating household decisions or finances. In turn, their partner’s independence and contributions end up taking a backburner. Good marriages are about equal partnership, and that can’t happen if one person always needs to be in the driver’s seat.
7. Perfectionism
In a recent article by Forbes, perfectionism is described as being bad for your health and wellness. Yet, type “A” people still have that desire to be perfect. The perfectionist streak means always having high expectations for themselves and others. For their partners, living up to these expectations can be exhausting and demoralizing.
8. Limited Emotional Availability
If you are a type “A” person, you’re often more focused on tasks than feelings. Unfortunately, this can make emotional connection and communication challenging. Their partners might find it hard to discuss feelings or receive the emotional support they need. In the end, this puts a noticeable strain on their marital life.
9. Reluctance to Compromise
For type “A” individuals, it’s often their way or the highway. Since they’re used to driving their agenda forward, they may struggle with compromise, a necessary part of any marriage. With this dynamic, one partner’s needs overshadow the others. This can make the other person feel cold and unsatisfied within the marriage.
10. High-Pressure Parenting
Sometimes,, the bad traits of a type “A” person manifest in the way they raise their children. Their approach to parenting can often be overly structured and demanding. If their partner doesn’t share the same views, this can lead to conflicts over parenting styles. Meanwhile, their children feel undue pressure to meet their parents’ high standards.
11. Social Strains
It’s probably no surprise that people who are on the extreme end of the type “A” spectrum have very few friends. The intense nature of this personality type makes it difficult to build and sustain an inner circle. With little friends to call upon, the couple’s social life can come under strain. This can possibly lead to isolation or tension within the marriage.
12. Burnout Risk
You can’t always be in control or strive for perfection without feeling burned out. The relentless pace at which Type “A” individuals operate can lead to burnout. When this happens, it affects not only them but their spouse as well. Their partner may end up bearing a heavier load during these periods, leading to an unbalanced and strained relationship.
Happy Together
It’s not fair to say that type “A” personalities aren’t the marrying type. These individuals have many strengths, including ambition, efficiency, and determination. All of these qualities could be assets to a healthy marriage. The challenges come from people who are on the extreme end of this personality type. It’s all about living a balanced lifestyle and working on improving your negative qualities so you and your partner can have a beautiful, happy marriage.
Read More:
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Alyssa Serio has been a writer and editor since graduating from Aurora University in 2014. In her free time, she loves reading, playing volleyball, and watching any horror movie (even the bad ones) with her husband.