Happy Couples Fight Often But Fight Fair — Dave’s Diary

Is the perfect relationship fight free?  Nope.  Spats are inevitable in a relationship, but they're nothing to get heated up about, says Redbook Love Network expert David B. Wexler, Ph.D., author of "When Good Men Behave Badly."

"It's not the arguing but the way you argue that can be a problem," says Wexler. "Dirty arguing, nonstop arguing, or refusing to forgive, none of these are good. But the occasional fight? Perfectly healthy."

Here are the facts on couples and their disagreements, from a onepoll.com survey of 5,000 people:

• Couples have 182 arguments per year, and each dispute lasts an average of 25 minutes, that's a total of three solid days.
• Top reasons for arguments are chores, not listening, and lack of sex.
• 66 percent of people say regular arguments help to clear the air.

During their first year together, couples are most likely to jump into bed to get over a fight, whereas years down the line, a quick apology will do the trick.