Ask Amy: Politics leads to Facebook ‘unfriending’
Dear Amy: I recently “unfriended” my dear older sister on Facebook because some of our political views differ — so rather than see her postings that differ from my views, I decided to eliminate that tension.
Before the unfriending, I tried to “unfollow” her, but then I’d miss her posts about other things, so I’d check her page and eventually see more politics. I just can’t stop offering my opinions when she posts, and then I feel chastised when she defends her point of view.
We don’t hang out a lot, but when we are together we don’t normally talk politics; and if something uncomfortable (for me) comes up, I change the subject.
My sister says, “OK, fine. We’ll just live in a world of unicorns and rainbows.”
She is obviously not happy that I unfriended her.
She says everyone has differing opinions, and that’s OK.
Is she right, am I living in a fantasy world by trying to keep the tension out of our relationship?
Am I oversensitive?
— Little Sister
Dear Sister: My take on this is that you do seem sensitive and very protective of your point of view. But (speaking as a “little sister” myself), the age differential between siblings often conveys a lifetime of dominance.
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