Bina-Block O Unfriend Ka Ba Ni Misis Sa Social Media Dahil Sa Away? A Psychologist Explains Why

In any marriage, conflict is inevitable. It may arise due to something as simple as one forgetting to flush the toilet or leaving used clothes near the laundry basket instead of inside it, or as serious as overspending online and not having enough funds to pay the bills.

When arguments occur between couples, each person has their own way of resolving them. As they say, "Ang lahat nadadaan sa mabuting usapan." But what if you're not ready to talk just yet? There's an unpopular method of giving your spouse the cold shoulder: unfriending or blocking them on social media.

READ ALSO: How The Silent Treatment Is A Marriage's Silent Killer

Why couples block or unfriend each other on social media

Seems immature, right? But when we asked the Smart Parenting community on Facebook if they block or unfriend their partners on social media after an argument, their response was a resounding yes! Some even proudly tagged their partners in the #SPTanongLang post.

One person explained, "Me. Tinanggal ko na siya sa pagka-blocked, pero hindi kami friends sa Facebook."

Another said, "Yes! Para maiparamdam ko na masama ang loob ko sa kanya."

One user tagged her "love" and said, "For protection of my mind lang po."

READ ALSO: Red Flag Ba? Puro Seksing Babae Ang Laman Ng Social Media Ni Hubby

Another user defended herself, saying it's a preventative measure, "Oo, para hindi mauwi sa masasamang salitang maaaring kumalawa sa aking mga daliri. Para peace and quiet."

One curious netizen asked, "Magbabati ba pag ginawa 'yan?"

Read the rest of the responses or join the conversation here.

Blocking or unfriending spouse on social media: is it healthy?

We asked Dr. Gail Galang, a registered psychologist with a PhD in Child and Family Studies and a member of the Smart Parenting Board of Experts, for her perspective on this behavior among couples.

Dr. Galang explained, "Coping behaviors vary when couples deal with marital conflict. Karen Horney, a German psychoanalyst refers to three neurotic trends or ways individuals may cope with anxiety: moving towards people, moving against people, or moving away from people."

"You can love a person, but not tolerate their toxicity. Sometimes people need to pull back to check on their personal boundaries." —Dr. Gail Galang

She adds, that unfriending or blocking your spouse on social media after an argument is a way of coping and may be an expression of moving away or stepping back. "More than just a knee-jerk reaction to feeling hurt and taking flight, mature couples may step back from a disagreement to create emotional distance, de-escalate the situation, or gain perspective. Ideally the intention is to step back from the conflict, not from the person. It can also be a safeguarding tendency to protect themselves from further harm or to avoid saying something they may regret," Dr. Galang says.

She emphasized that while it may seem immature to take such an action, it should be seen more as an act of self-preservation than retaliation. "You can love a person, but not tolerate their toxicity. Sometimes people need to pull back to check on their personal boundaries."

Dr. Galang shares a pro tip for couples that can help them avoid the need to unfriend or block each other on social media after a conflict: "On calmer days, it's best to decide together whether couples should follow each other on social media. There's nothing wrong if they choose not to do so."

READ: 'My Hubby And I Are Not Friends On Social Media' This Mom Shares Why This Set-Up Works

However, if the intention behind blocking your spouse on social media is to air your dirty laundry to the public or to shame them behind their backs, then it's not fine at all.

Dr. Gail Galang is currently the co-chair of the Miriam College Psychology Department. For more expert advice on child and family life, follow her on Instagram: @gailfrancesgalang

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