*LIST* Top Things American Couples Fight About

All relationships have ups and downs, and no matter how happy a couple is, they still argue at some point. But there are some major differences in the way couples respond to disagreement and the things they argue about most. And thanks to new research, we get some insight as to the most common topics people in relationships bicker about.

A recent YouGov poll asked 1,000 U.S. adults in serious relationships how often they argue, what they argue about and how the arguments happen.

• It turns out, couples of all ages say the thing they argue about most is “tone of voice and attitude.”
• It’s an especially hot topic for older couples (ages 45 and up), with nearly half (45%) reporting it’s a recurring issue. And that suggests that the way something is said may be more important than what is actually said.
• For younger couples (ages 18 to 44), money (32%) and communication styles (24%) are their next most common arguments.
• Older couples argue more often about relationships with extended family (18%) and life decisions (11%).
• There’s a wide range in terms of how often people in serious relationships get into arguments.
• Nearly a third (30%) say they argue once a week or more, 28% report arguing once a month or multiple times a month, and 32% say it’s just once or a few times a year. Just 3% say they never argue with their partner.
• At least half say they raise their voice, about the same amount give their partner the silent treatment, and fewer admit to swearing, name calling or crying during disagreements.

The Top 10 Reasons American Couples Argue

1. Tone of voice or attitude
2. Money
3. Communication styles
4. Household chores
5. Relationships with family
6. Amount of quality time spent together
7. Life decisions
8. Health or lifestyle decisions
9. How they argue
10. Sex

Source: Visual Capitalist⠀

photo: GETTY