Microaggression in Relationships: Impact and Ways To Deal

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How would you feel if your partner casually says, “You’re so dramatic—it must be because you’re a woman/man,” or a family member remarks, “You’re so sensitive about cultural stuff; can’t you just let it go?” 

At first glance, these comments might seem harmless, even unintentional. But over time, they sting, leaving you questioning your worth and feeling unseen. Could these subtle slights be damaging your relationship? Are they something more than simple criticism?

If you have ever felt misunderstood, dismissed, or invalidated in ways that seem too small to call out but too significant to ignore, you’re not alone, and we are here to help.

Microaggression in relationships, whether in family or romantic dynamics, can erode trust and emotional safety. 

We’ll dive into the meaning of microaggression in family relationships, explore real-life examples of microaggressions in romantic relationships, and clarify how they differ from healthy criticism. 

More importantly, you’ll discover practical ways to address and heal from these hidden wounds. Let’s break the silence.

What is microaggression in a relationship?

NIH defines microaggression as:

Microaggressions are everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults– whether intentional or unintentional– that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to individuals based solely upon their marginalized group membership.

Microaggression in relationships refers to subtle, often unintentional behaviors or comments that convey bias, disrespect, or dismissiveness toward someone’s identity or feelings. These actions may seem minor at first but can build up, causing emotional strain and eroding trust.

For instance, a partner might say, “You’re pretty smart for someone who didn’t go to college,” or “Do you really need to be so emotional about this?” Such remarks might not be intended as harmful, but they undermine the other person’s self-worth over time.

Microaggressions in close relationships often stem from ingrained stereotypes or unconscious biases. Their repetitive nature can significantly impact mental health and the overall dynamic of the relationship.

Let’s understand more about what are microaggressions in a relationship and how we can address them through healthier communication.

How does microaggression cause harm?

Microaggression in relationships may seem subtle, but its cumulative impact can deeply harm emotional well-being and strain the bond between partners or family members. Here’s how it manifests in real-life situations:

• When someone hears comments like “You’re too sensitive” or “You’re overreacting again,” it invalidates their emotions. Over time, this can lead to self-doubt, making them feel like their feelings don’t matter in the relationship.
• Repeated microaggressions, such as dismissive jokes about cultural backgrounds or gender roles, can make the affected person withdraw emotionally. This leaves a gap in communication, building resentment and disconnect.
• Subtle biases, like consistently interrupting someone or questioning their opinions, can make the individual feel unheard or undervalued. This persistent tension can escalate into anxiety, impacting the overall health of microaggression in relationships.

Related Reading: https://www.marriage.com/advice/relationship/should-you-really-deal-with-a-cruel-spouse/

Do you support microaggression?

The main worry that might be eating at you right now is, ‘Am I also supporting microaggression?’

 You might unknowingly support microaggression in relationships through seemingly harmless behaviors or silence when witnessing such actions. 

For instance, laughing at a dismissive joke about someone’s cultural habits or ignoring comments like “You always overreact because you’re emotional” can perpetuate harmful patterns.

While these acts might not feel intentional, they validate subtle biases that hurt emotional safety. To counter this, it’s essential to call out these behaviors, even in close relationships, and reflect on your own words. 

By being proactive, you can prevent microaggression in relationships and create an environment of mutual respect and understanding.

Microaggression examples

There are many forms of microaggressions. Some of the microaggressions examples in relationships are:

• • “I can understand the problems of being a part of the minority group.”
  • “As a woman, it must be hard to fight for your minority group.”
  • “You belong to <insert place/ country>. Isn’t life hard for your community there?”

• “Wow, you’re so articulate for someone from your background.”

• “You’re really good at this—must be because of your upbringing.”

• “I don’t even see you as a minority; you’re just like everyone else.”

• “It’s amazing you’ve come so far despite your challenges.”

Microaggressions can simply be called ‘bad etiquette.’ The video below shares examples of racial and ageist microaggressions in the workplace. Take a look to understand better:

Microaggressions as humor

How many times have you gulped in a statement just because it was embarrassing or mocking? How many times did you not confuse between humor, microaggressions, and mockery?

The ideology of humor for a microaggressive person revolves around whatever makes them and the people around them laugh.

It doesn’t target any specific group of people. It mostly targets a race, a person’s weakness, and, most importantly, their personality traits. This not only proves to be humiliating but because it is mistaken for humor, also leaves a person in self-doubt.

Credibility of microaggressions

It doesn’t hold any scientific support, nor does it feed benefit to the other. The term was brought to life by Psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce from Harvard in 1970. In the 21st century, the term started to get its full recognition.

It was, therefore, used to explain any act of degradation that is based on pure biased opinions. But it will surely be challenging to explain to someone who is determined to negate it.

Why not call it ‘criticism’?

It’s a valid question. The key distinction lies in intent and impact.

Criticism, whether positive or negative, is always intentional. It’s rooted in deliberate feedback aimed at improving or addressing specific behaviors or actions. In contrast, microaggressions in relationships can be unintentional, stemming from unconscious biases or ignorance.

For instance, in a group of friends, sharing insecurities can be part of building trust. However, you should ensure those conversations remain respectful and not turn into jokes that hurt someone’s feelings. 

When friends humorously degrade or dismiss you based on those vulnerabilities, even without malicious intent, the emotional damage is still real.

Here’s a clear comparison to differentiate between the two:

How to fix it?

Microaggressions in relationships can hit harder than you might think. The tricky part? Responding to these degrading statements without making things worse.

Microaggressions in relationships often come from unconscious biases. So, when it happens, a calm response can go a long way. Try saying something like, “I know you didn’t mean to, but that comment felt off because…” This opens up a conversation instead of sparking a fight.

But it’s not just about personal interactions. We need to talk about microaggressions on a bigger scale—at work, in schools, and in our communities. Imagine if schools taught kids how small actions can have big impacts. It’s the kind of lesson that could change how we all communicate and treat each other.

Fixing microaggressions isn’t about blaming people; it’s about helping everyone grow. With awareness and effort, we can turn these moments into a chance for better, more respectful connections.

How to respond to microaggressions?

One of the prior steps of responding to microaggression is understanding when it happens. That means you should know when an act or speech is a form of microaggression and not something casual. You should be sure to avoid an adverse reaction. 

Next, understand the consequences of your reaction.

Will you be in danger? Will you be frowned upon? Is it going to affect your relationship with the other party or the group of people?

You must keep in mind what the impact of your reaction be.

Once you do, you can share your feelings if you can expect a positive outcome, response, or understanding.

How to avoid committing microaggressions

No one sets out to hurt someone with their words or actions, but microaggressions often happen unintentionally. The good news? A little mindfulness can go a long way in preventing them.

1. Think before you speak

If you’re about to comment on someone’s background, habits, or appearance, pause and ask yourself, “Could this sound dismissive or stereotypical?” For example, instead of saying, “Wow, you’re so articulate for someone from your community,” just compliment their communication skills without tying it to their background.

2. Educate yourself about unconscious biases

We all have biases, but awareness is the first step to overcoming them. Take the time to learn about different cultures, experiences, and perspectives. This will help you avoid remarks like, “Do all people from your country do this?” which can feel ignorant or alienating.

3. Listen and apologize when corrected

If someone points out that your words hurt them, resist the urge to defend yourself. Acknowledge their feelings and respond with, “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize how that came across. Thank you for letting me know.” This shows maturity and a willingness to improve.

Does sensitivity come with microaggression?

Everything on this planet slowly and gradually either adapts to any physical or emotional insult or gets deformed. The same is the case with sensitivity. Sensitivity is not a choice; neither is it non-inherent. It can be acquired by parents or can be a result of repeated insult.

However, from a broader perspective, it is true that sensitivity comes with microaggressions as well. What’s not right is that microaggressions create sensitivity in people.

Therefore, instead of being a root cause of damaging a human, it’s a humble option to choose otherwise.

Understanding and avoiding microaggression

What can be the impact of microaggressions?

Microaggressions are often overlooked or brushed off, but ignoring them doesn’t make the harm any less real. Dismissing the impact of these subtle attacks is a disservice to emotional well-being.

Many times, microaggressions stem from individuals projecting their own insecurities. It’s important to remember that responding to such behavior with more negativity only perpetuates the cycle. Instead, strive to lift others up, not degrade them in return.

Ultimately, anything that contributes to someone’s suffering is harmful. In the pursuit of perfection, don’t forget to embrace humility and gratitude, recognizing that kindness and respect are the true measures of strength.