Problem with Boyfriend's Family

May 7, 2007

Question

Dear Dr. Turndorf I hope you can give me some help.

My boyfriend's family doesn't approve of my dating their son. I was told yesterday that the family hates me.

I don't know what I can do to change things. Should I still go to family gatherings? Or should I not care at all? What can I do to fix this problem?


Answer

My alarm bells went off when you said that you were told that his family hates you. Who told you? Did he tell you? If so, then your real issue is with your boyfriend.

Why would he want to be the bearer of such painful news? The only reason is because he harbors some kind of anger toward you and he's using his parents' hatred in order to club you. If this is the case, your boyfriend's anger toward you is what needs to be addressed and resolved.

If you heard from someone other than your boyfriend that his family hates you, then you should talk to him and find out what he plans to do to turn them around. Again, I point my finger at your boyfriend, because he should be sticking up for you and advocating for you with his family. If he isn't , then his behavior says one of two things: either he condones their anger and allows them to express his own aggression toward you; or he is terribly weak and unable to stand up to them.

You need to talk to him and find out which of the two hypotheses is true. If he's angry with you, let him come out with it. If he's scared to confront his parents, let him face the problem with them (discuss their objections and turn them around). It's not your job to win his parents. He should be fighting for you.

Bottom line: You should expect complete loyalty from your boyfriend. If his parents aren't treating you right, he should demand that they do. If they don't, he should demonstrate his disapproval by not taking you to see them. I would be wary of forming a relationship with someone who is willing to throw you under the bus.

- Doctor Love


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