How to respond to advice, concerns

Relationship counsellor Scelo Mncube went through the scenarios below and gives advice on which ones call for one to listen to their family or not:

Your partner has too many kids with different mothers/fathers Mncube says: DEFY

A person who has too many kids with different people is not necessarily a deal breaker. They could have been a sucker for love who just happened to have been played too many times. You cannot discard a partner based on them having too many kids. Their character will tell you what to do.

Your partner has been in jail or has a criminal past Mncube says: LISTEN

Yes, some people do come out from behind the prison walls changed and ready to begin a whole new life, but some statistics, which say that a large percentage of offenders are prone to a relapse, tell us otherwise. It is just too much to take on, with having a chip on your shoulder about when your partner will finally snap. Not worth it.

Your family thinks your partner is not attractive and does not suit you Mncube says: DEFY

Beauty is subjective, and truly lies in the eyes of the beholder. Character supercedes looks. Also, beauty is not everything. The most beautiful couples have divorced.

Your partner has been married and divorced Mncube says: DEFY

Your family may be concerned that the same might happen to you, but not everyone you marry ends up being the love of your life. Sometimes things just don’t work out. This is not a reason to doubt your partner, especially if they have learned from their past mistakes.