"SLC-S24/W6 - Powerful Debate | Yes or no/ pros and cons".

Hello and welcome to another exciting experience. Today is more exciting than ever as we will be delving into an aspect of life that concerns each and everyone of us.

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Yes! Be it in the family settings, Church setting, community, social and even marital setting, we are all in one relationship or the other. Going by this, in these our numerous human relationships (romantic, platonic, familial, or professional) one thing is common and that's honesty. While they exist series of arguments on the place of honesty in a relationship, I have a unique view. Thus the topic "Honesty is always the best policy in relationships! Yes"

In my opinion, the foundation in which trust, intimacy and emotional connection places their roots is honesty. There's no doubt that honesty sometimes causes uncomfortable situations and temporary conflicts. However, in the long run, it secures and births the durability and authenticity of a relationship. As such, when ever I am asked if honesty is the best policy in relationships, my answer is always a big and bigger yes. I will be delving into why I have this unequivocally trust on honesty being the foundation of all relationships by presenting;

Permit me to use fictional names and locations so as to avoid intruding into someone's personal life. Nelly and Jim, a young couple residing in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. In their early twenties, they began their relationship life. A relationship designed and filled with excitement and Herculean dreams of sharing the future together whether nature wanted it or not.

Nelly, from the beginning, insisted and wanted a relationship govern by an open communication and total honesty. She presented this to Jim and he accepted. Nelly emptied her past to Jim, telling him of all the numerous mistakes and struggles she had passed through. She went as far as telling him how she dropped out of the University for about two years due to depression. Jim who happened to be someone with limited depression in life appreciated her honesty and reciprocated same by sharing his own past of financial recklessness and a session of gambling addition.

It is interesting to know that their early transparency did not in any way eliminate conflicts and strive among them. However, it prepared them to deal with problems with an high level of maturity and mutual respect. As the years went by, Jim lost his Job and was tempted to hide it by not telling Nelly.

During this period of self conflict, he remembered Nelly's word "In all you do, remember that we grow stronger in the light, and not in the dark." This made Jim had a change of plans and told her exactly what as happened and together they found ways of dealing with their financial crisis. Their trust in each other became stronger rather than flattering. As of 31st May, both couples were managing an agro business and as well offers counselling services to young couples on the importance and efficacy of honest communication.

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The whole story centers on the fact that if they had not open their past or current struggles, the eventual discovery could have fractured their bond irreparably. This story is set out to reinforce the argument that honesty does not make relationship perfect, but it makes them real and total resilient.

The pros of honesty include though not limited to the following;

Builds Trust: : There is no strong relationship without trust. As such, trust could be regarded as the cornerstone of every lasting relationship. When. Partners are honest, it eliminates suspicion, secrecy and element of doubt. This trust can be achieved when both parties trust on each other to always be straightforward and truthful irrespective of how uncomfortable or ugly the situation is.

Enhances Emotional Intimacy: Honesty helps to achieve this by sharing thoughts, fear and emotions openly to their partners. Honest conversation allows individuals to truly know each other and this plays significant roles to the reason why marriages of the past lasted.

Resolves Conflicts Healthily: it is a natural thing for conflicts to set into a given relationship no matter how loving and bonding it is. During this time, honesty is the best platform for addressing issues directly rather than keeping bundles of hatred and grieve. Here, honest partners express their concerns, creating opportunities for resolution and total understanding.

Promotes and enhances personal growth: From my experience, being honest with a partner especially when offering a sincere and constructive feedback as always lead to self improvement. It pushes individuals to become better person than who they have always been

Saves Time and Heartbreak: it is a fact that pretending or lying can delay the inevitable. This is true as pretending to love someone when in reality you do not have any feelings for that person only prolongs pains and discomfort. Honesty, while painful at the moment, allows individuals to make effective and timely decisions.

Forsters Accountability: On this regards, show me an honest relationship and I will show you a relationship which ensures both parties take complete responsibilities of their actions and decisions. Therefore, Honesty encourages mutual respect and places the individual in an high ethical standards.

Builds Reputation and Integrity: this is an area I would not forget to mention. I communities and social circles, people known for honesty in relationships earn admiration and respect. This integrity is always seen in their families, friendships and careers.

While they are numerous advantages of honesty, it is not without challenges and the challenges include though not limited to the following;

Can Cause Temporary Hurt: Being honest can put one in a domain of temporary Pains can sting greatly. For example, admitting to a mistake, disloyalty or a change in one's feelings towards the other could lead to an emotional pain. However, it is the type of pain that heals with time and understanding while preparing such a person to be a stronger individual.

Misinterpretation of Truth: In most cases, truth with tact can be greatly misunderstood. This is seen when someone expresses truthful opinion but in a harshly manner. It may likely lead to an unnecessary conflict. This, honestly must be paired with empathy and diplomacy so as to achieve it worth.

Can Risk Relationship Stability: Unlike the story of Nelly whose past life made her relationship stronger, there are instances where such a scenario breaks an existing bond. Especially, when the relationship was not bonded effectively and the past actions involved situations that are considered socially or morally unacceptable (abortion, killed someone, child trafficking, etc). However, it still empowers the victims for the future.

Vulnerability: It is a fact that honesty requires vulnerability which most people fear. This is because, when people open up, they are always faced with the challenges of being judges, rejected, or emotionally wounded. This fear might make many people to keep things to themselves other than sharing. Imagine the pains associated with this.

Timing Matters: Being honest at the inappropriate time can also cause unnecessary stress and emotional pains. A good example could be revealing a financial mistake when your partner is already overwhelmed with work. This could lead to conflict. As such timing and delivery is highly essential here.

Summarily, Honesty is the chief corner stone of enduring, meaningful, and matured relationships. It is not always a bed of roses. However, it promises pleasures above bed of roses. Therefore, while it may come with the risk of conflict and emotional pains, the benefits far outweigh the setbacks and makes it a stepping stone to greater heights.

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Moreso, honesty enables people to maintain their ethical standards and as well if paired with empathy and diplomacy has the potential of transforming relationships from mere fragile connections into satisfied and fortified partnerships. With this few points of mind, I concretize the notion that honesty is and will Always be one of the best if not the best policy relationship.

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