Relational Dialectics Theory: It is Important for Mom to Be True to Herself

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When we hear the term “discourse,” we often picture some form of interpersonal communication, such as two friends engaging in a conversation. However, discourse also refers to ideologies, worldviews, and points of view (Baxter, 2011). For example, in the United States, many people place a strong value on the discourses of freedom and democracy, while in other cultures, discourses of cooperation and collectivity are more prominent. As we experience everyday life, we are inundated with many different discourses, and these discourses are often in competition with one another. Think about the current social conversation surrounding gun ownership in the United States. As people talk about their views on gun ownership, we recognize that these interactions can become heated very quickly. In these interactions, we can observe discourses that stress constitutional rights and individual freedom to own guns, as well as discourses that reflect the values of public safety and legislation favoring stricter gun control. We can observe how these different discourses play out in talk: in the media, on social media, and in conversations around the dinner table. Opposing discourses are all around us and are a normal part of life.