Chapter 3 - Exploring Your Ideas About Love Summary and Analysis

Chapter 3 begins the second of three major divisions within the text: Stage 2 - Reviewing Your Options: "Should I Stay or Leave?" The two chapters in the second stage involve, respective, making the decision to remain in the damaged relationship and then determining how this recommitment can be possible. Chapter 3 is the second shortest chapter in the text; this is reflection of the basic premise of the text that readers will have already made the determination to remain in the damaged relationship. The chapter urges an inventory of personal desires and beliefs with a focus on identifying and abandoning irrational or erroneous beliefs. The chapter features, early on, a brief statement which condemns virtually all extramarital affairs as damaging—this is the most judgmental statement in the text. The...