What does "normal" fighting look like?

[Question]

I used to read this sub a couple years ago but didn't think my parents were "that bad". Now, I'm convinced they are (I'll probably post something specifically here when I find time to write, or just look on my post history, but basically they hired a private investigator on me and my private life.)

I have a question though about arguments and fights.

When I was in 4th grade my parents separated and almost divorced. My dad had a porn addiction, which is another story, but they also had frequent screaming matches at each other. Doors slamming, one of them storming away (usually my dad), the other one (usually my mom) following and screaming more. And then a few hours later acting like nothing happened, and expecting a simple "Sorry" to suffice and "smooth things over".

My dad went to a treatment center, they went to therapy together, and admittedly have gotten better. My dad doesn't get mad as much anymore. They don't fight as often as they used to. They still have screaming matches occasionally though, and they seem to be worse than I remember in 4th grade (but again, I can't remember a lot back then). Lots of "Fuck you"s, "I don't want to hear it", "Shut up", "You're completely wrong", "What is wrong with you", more sarcastic remarks, etc.

I made a comment about their fights once and my mom said, "I'm sorry you have to hear that, but we don't argue as much anymore... We've gotten better... Every couple in the world fights... We just needed to blow off some steam... If we didn't love each other we wouldn't care enough to do that..." etc. But, is that level of fighting normal? I know I don't want to have this level of screaming matches with any future partner I have.

One of my parent's favorite lines while arguing is "I don't want to talk about it anymore. I'm just going to say that (insert their thoughts here again). But I'm done talking about it now." (As a way to always get the last word, how convenient)

This isn't normal though, is it? How do normal couples argue?

Admittedly this may not be the best sub to ask

Posted Feb 16, 2017, 11:08 PM UTC

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