Getting to Commitment 
asked by jerseymike on November 18, 2006 11:17 PM
Do your relationships always crash? Do your married friends wonder what's wrong? "They write sitcoms about people like us," says "commitmentphobia" expert Steven Carter, "but it looks a lot more fun on the small screen than it feels in real life." The problem may be your fear of the risks of intimacy and commitment. Carter himself was a closet "commitmentphobic" when he wrote Men Who Can't Love. Now, in Getting to Commitment, he explains how to break those patterns and forge intimate connections--as he has done in his own life.
Carter sees eight hurdles between you and the relationship you deserve. He deftly analyzes each problem, points out self-destructive nonsolutions, and explains the steps necessary to break the barrier. For example, one hurdle is blaming your partners' shortcomings for the failure of previous relationships. Breaking the pattern involves seeing how you choose particular partners and self-destruct in relationships--going from blame to responsibility. Other hurdles include relationship-history ghosts, living in fantasy, and ineffective behavior patterns. "If we are to experience intimacy, our hearts have to be brave as well as loving," says Carter. Getting to Commitment will help you find that courage. Highly recommended. --Joan Price
Reviews
My boyfriend was (is?) a text-book commitment-phobe. Another of the authors' books, "He's scared, she's scared," helped us both recognize the symptoms for what they were, but that book didn't offer any solutions. Finally, with this book, my boyfriend learned how to work with his fears and happily stay in our relationship. Between the two books he learned his triggers, his reactions, and how to remain calm in the face of them. We have now been together >3 years and are having a fantastic relationship! I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is a commitment-phobe but who recognizes they are, yet truly wants a committed relationship.
reviewed by heavymetal on November 23, 2006 3:25 AM
For anyone who lives in an urban, singles area of town, this book is worth a thorough reading into some of the bizarre and hurtful practices of those who seem to be all there and ready for a relationship (even stating so), but then suddenly cool off and disappear, leaving you to wonder what you said or did....
This book goes into the minds of the people who act in that way and offers sound advice on how they can change. It also goes over the fact that the other person involved usually *does play a role* in ignoring the signs of a relationship that is doomed. It does not victimize or persecure any of the parties, but gives a good account of the 'under the hood' stuff that may be happening.
It's a good heads up for those stuck in the land of the singledoms.
This book goes into the minds of the people who act in that way and offers sound advice on how they can change. It also goes over the fact that the other person involved usually *does play a role* in ignoring the signs of a relationship that is doomed. It does not victimize or persecure any of the parties, but gives a good account of the 'under the hood' stuff that may be happening.
It's a good heads up for those stuck in the land of the singledoms.
reviewed by tacos on November 23, 2006 7:41 PM
I've been in and out of what seemed to be great relationships. I've had 5 men ask me to marry them (I did marry one of them, then divorced him). But, I never could understand why when things were getting good why I always thought that they were so bad. I had been running the whole time and didn't even know it until I read this book. I can't say enough about the insight this provides to a person. If you think that it is because of the other person in you life that you can't settle down or if you know that it may be you. Please read this book. It will begin to make sense.
reviewed by ivan on November 28, 2006 1:29 AM
A very worthwhile read for anyone in any type of relationship. Book covers topics to make you more aware of the motivations for your own behavior and reactions to other people. Good for men and women, people who don't think they have relating problems and for those who know they do. Just read it, it is worth your time.
reviewed by ibook on November 28, 2006 4:57 AM
Mr. Carter has lots of great insights into relationship dynamics, presented here in easy-to-understand language, and without overdoing the psychological perspectives. A rather simple, yet very informative read. Lots of questions are answered: Why do some people rush into relationships? How do people find themselves in abusive relationships? Why do people who desperately seek commitment have trouble finding it? The answers are here, and Carter helps the reader work on themselves, so they can find the love they want. It empowers the reader, giving them choices, and noting that love is a process, not an answer. His main points emphasize that the reader stand up for what they believe in and want in relationships, and not settle for less, and always to take it slow. Lots of info here, looking forward to the next Carter report.
reviewed by geo on November 29, 2006 10:56 AM
