Tag Archives: control

COL684: LoR: Attachment

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s time for another Landscape of Relationships. Jeff and Gary welcome back Dr. Edward Angelini-Cooke for another discussion and this time they get attached to the subject. From being anxious to feeling confident, there’s much to learn. Are you one of the four in ten that might have insecure attachment?

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Landscape of Relationships: Attachment [impermanence, neediness, and security]

How you ever heard someone classify someone or themselves as being “clingy”, “co-dependent”, “needy”, “dramatic” or “closed off”, “emotionally unavailable”, and “allergic to drama” or that they have “attachment issues”?  This is WAY more common than you think it is.  Approximately 40 percent of people have an insecure attachment of some form. 

John Bowlby described attachment as the everlasting psychological connection between human beings. 

  • We are born to create emotional bonds with caregivers.
  • Those who had attachments to caregivers were more likely to receive comfort and protection and survive into adulthood.
  • Primary caregivers providing a sense of security is the central theme of attachment theory.

Mary Ainsworth expanded on Bowlby’s work.

  • “Strange situation” study connected attachment to behavior with toddlers and their mothers 
  • Secure attachment, ambivalent-insecure attachment, avoidant-insecure attachment 

Main (dissertation student of Ainsworth) and Solomon added disorganized-insecure attachment based on their research.  

Traits of Anxious-insecure attachment 

  • Responsive towards partners needs but insecure about their own worth in a relationship 
  • Blames sense for rejection 
  • Reassurance of their own worth and love.

Traits of Avoidant-insecure attachment 

  • Independent, social, high self-esteem 
  • Social interactions and relationships remain on the surface
  • Avoid strong displays of closeness and intimacy 
  • Feel they do not need emotional intimacy 

Traits of Disorganized-Insecure attachment 

  • Perpetually waiting for rejection, disappointment, and hurt 
  • Truly want closeness and intimacy; but afraid of it.
  • Self-fulfilling prophecy

Traits of a Secure Relationship 

  • Able to identify and regulate emotions within a relationship 
  • Strong goal oriented behavior in a relationship 
  • Able to bond and trust others

For gay men and other queer individuals, their socio-sexual identity development from childhood to adulthood might have an impact on their attachment (prototype model of attachment)

  • Having a secure caregiver support you when you are rejected by your peers will help maintain your secure attachment 
  • Having a previously secure caregiver reject you during that process has the potential to create an anxious or avoidant style.
  • Having secure peer support after an insecure childhood has the potential to transition to a secure attachment.
  • Having an insecure attachment with caregiver growing up will likely have negative experiences with sexual identity development (e.g. shame,internalized homophobia et al.,  lack of disclosure to family) and in some populations create an expectation of being rejected.

Bear community 

  • Two stigmatized identifies (fat and queer)
  • Feeling rejected by the peer group who SHOULD accept me (potential for double insecure attachment)
  • Being welcomed into the Bear community could help transition to secure attachment 

BUT…..this is a two-step process.

Attachment is not just interpersonal but also intrapersonal, meaning within ourselves.

  • Mindfulness as a practice has been helpful in learning and practicing differentiation of self in relationship with others.
  • If we are able to accept and show compassion towards ourselves we can stand on our own and learn to create our OWN narratives rather than relying on the narratives of others.  

Here are some good ways to work towards secure attachment with others and ourselves

  • Self-awareness and accountability
    • If you are someone with an insecure attachment, it is your responsibility to take ownership for that and know what to do..  What are the beliefs you have about relationships and yourself?  What do we need to ask for from others that is reasonable and within their control? And when you get it, notice it, name it, normalize it, remind yourself the purpose of why that was important, and appreciate that action that was taken.  This will help you be mindful and aware of it in the future.  
  • Communicate
    • Communicate your thoughts, feelings, and needs with others openly and honestly. 
    • Two-way street.  Listening is part of the process too.
  • Practice intimacy 
    • David Schnarch said, “Intimacy is knowing who you are and letting someone else in on the secret.”  This requires us to go on a journey of self-discovery. We can’t expect others to write our story.
    • Get comfortable with being uncomfortable
    • It’s okay to be mysterious.  Not everyone needs to know everything about you in the first five minutes.  
    • Acknowledge and appreciate when others are practicing intimacy.  
  • Practice independence
    • Accept that you will struggle with this.  
    • Ask questions.  
    • Gage your willingness and boundaries and then seek support.  “I can do (this…this….this) but I need support on (this…this…this)”
    • Google is your friend.
    • CELEBRATE SUCCESS….to your close supports or your diary….the world sometimes won’t match your excitement.
  • Find secure people
    • Therapists are a good example of a secure attachment model (sometimes it will take a few burnt ones)
    • Who in your life has a secure attachment? Hang out with them.

References/Resources

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COL649: LoR: Red Flags, Green Flags

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the guys are joined once again by Dr. Edward Angelini-Cooke to continue our Landscape of Relationships series. For this episode, the guys discuss the potential red, yellow and green flags in relationship and kink dynamics. While a potentially funny meme, these flags are no laughing matter. Listen in as the cubs unfurl some details and give some insight into looking out for the signals of a healthy (and unhealthy) relationship.

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Landscape of Relationships: Red Flags, Green Flags

What are Relationship Flags?

  • Relationship flags are indicators of healthy, unhealthy, and dangerous behaviors or feelings within relationships.  
  • They can be red, yellow, or green.  

Red Flags 

  • Controlling behaviors 
  • Violence 
  • Emotional and verbal abuse 
  • Intentional sabotage or hurting of feelings
  • Walking on eggshells 
  • Friends and family (support) are not trusting of your partner
  • Using things against you that were told in confidence
  • Usually can improve for short periods of time but abuse is usually cyclical 

 Yellow Flags 

  • All or nothing communication 
  • Pushes boundaries 
  • Codependency or enmeshment 
  • Difficulty with finding things in common 
  • Lack of similarities with goals and values 
  • These can be improved upon in meaningful ways 

Green Flags 

  • Healthy communication 
  • Respecting boundaries 
  • Interdependence 
  • Supportive of goals and values 
  • Knowing love languages
  • Awareness that no relationship is perfect 

Let’s Get Kinky 

Red Flags in Kink 

  • Expect you to immediately obey them and call them an honorific or title before agreed upon/Call you a title one honorific immediately before agreed upon
  • Don’t ask you about your hard or soft limits
  • Tell you what “real” or “true” submissive or a dominant does 
  • Separate you from friends and family or kinky friends 
  • Tell you that they have no limits and expect you to have no limits as well
  • Expect you, as the Dominant, to take full responsibility for their health and wellbeing, both physically and emotionally
  • Dismiss opinions 
  • Dictate how your dynamic will go 

Green Flags in Kink 

  • Want to get to know you on a deeper level, and have an interest in more than just your kinks and sexual preferences
  • They won’t do anything without your expressed consent, and will respect your stated boundaries and limits, as well as sharing their own
  • They’re interested in hearing about your journey in kink, as well as what turns you on and off, along with your opinions on how you’d like your dynamic to grow
  • They respect your existing friendships and relationships, even if they may not be directly introduced to the other important people in your life
  • They emphasize the importance of safety, consent, negotiation, and safe words in kinky dynamics
  • They take responsibility for their actions, understanding that you are not the cure for their problems

If you feel you are in a dangerous relationship situation.  Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

Resources 

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COL636: LoR: Love Languages

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the guys are joined once again by Edward Angelini-Cooke to continue our Landscape of Relationships series. In this episode, the guys show how they feel the love within the five love languages. From learning what the languages are to sharing their results, listen in as the guys gift us some touching acts of quality words to help understand how these languages affirm the love and affection one can feel for their loved ones. In addition, learn more about more recent developments in the love languages from neurodivergent to kink play dynamics.

Show Topic

Landscape of Relationships: Love Languages

Love Languages (Gary Chapman):

  1. Words of Affirmation 
  2. Quality Time
  3. Acts of Service 
  4. Gifts
  5. Physical Touch 

The 5 Love Languages (according to Britney, Bitch!):

  • Physical Touch: My loneliness is killing me
  • Words of Affirmation: I must confess I still believe
  • Quality Time: When I’m not with you I lose my mind
  • Give Giving: Give me a sign
  • Acts of Service: Hit me baby one more time

The 5 Neurodivergent Love Languages:

  • Infodumping
  • Parallel Play
  • Support Swapping
  • Please Crush My Soul Back into My Body
  • “I found this cool rock/button/leaf/etc and thought you would like it”

Comparison of Results:

Gary Chapman, PhD, 1992, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts 

Fear not: John Gottman and the Gottman approach, which I reference often, is a good overlap with the 5 languages of love….and allows some flexibility with the concepts.

BDSM and Love Languages  

Have Fun With It

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COL609: Landscape of Relationships: Forgiveness

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the guys are joined again by Edward Angelini-Cooke to continue our Landscape of Relationships series. For this one, the guys continue the discussion from COL604 about apologies and move on to forgiveness. What is forgiveness? After apologizing, should you ask for forgiveness? Are there any benefits to forgiving someone? The cubs give their answers to these questions and more.

Show Topic

Landscape of Relationships: Forgiveness

Last time we talked about apologies, and we started to talk about the process of forgiveness and how that can relate to the apology process.  

According to the 5 languages of apologies, requesting forgiveness is the last language….and I disagree.  I don’t think it is fair to request, assume, or expect someone to forgive you.  The responsibility lies on the person hearing the apology whether or not they want to forgive the situation….because at the end of the day, it isn’t really about that other person….it is about them.

So what is forgiveness?

“Forgiveness” is the act or process of forgiving or being forgiven.  And “forgive” means to end the resentment or anger felt towards another person, situation, or think for an offense, flaw, or mistake.  

Cultural idea that forgiveness is one of the greatest of virtues, the highest form of love, and necessity for good mental and physical health. This view says that forgiveness helps reduce stress, blood pressure, lowering risk of heart attacks, and other mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety.  

Studies have indicated that the benefits of forgiveness include lowered cholesterol, decreased risk of heart attacks, and other mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression.  

The problem with this model is that it gives the idea that forgiveness is the only path and if you don’t forgive an unapologetic person, then you are somehow less spiritual and more inclined to physical and emotional problems.  Rushing to forgive can have its own costs as psychologist Janis Abraahms Springs believes.  

In “Why Won’t You Apologize”, Harriet Lerner mentions that many of her clients are not necessarily looking to forgive someone but rather to be rid of the anger, bitterness, resentment, and pain.  They want to let go.  We don’t have to forgive in order to let go.  While for some people, seeking to forgive others may be the goal and an important part of their spiritual journey.  That is called radical forgiveness.  Studies indicate that forgiveness is important to a successful relationship.  

To go back to the health benefits of forgiveness…it is more the act of letting go of what you can’t control that is the most healing.  

Apologies should never be forced, demanded, or commanded.  “It’s been twenty years, why can’t you forgive him?”  

Forgiveness also isn’t all-or-nothing.  We can forgive someone 95 percent to 2 percent or anywhere in between.  It is up to you.  And that is powerful.  

Also….lets not forget self-forgiveness or self-compassion.  We are oftentimes our own worst enemy.  We need forgiveness just as much as other people….if not more.  

Final thing: You do not need to forgive a person who has hurt you in order to free yourself from the pain of negative emotions.  And it is no one else’s job to tell you to forgive…or not to. 

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COL602: LTAS: JustForFans / OnlyFans

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the cubs get sexy online. For this installment of Let’s Talk About Sex, the guys discuss the creator-driven content sites such as OnlyFans and JustForFans and their recent uptick in popularity during the pandemic, particularly for those wishing to share their body positivity and other sexual exploits for profit. As the guys share their thoughts on these sites and their popularity, what kind of impact is this having on traditional pornography? Is this another fad or the eventual evolution of the porn industry?

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Lets Talk About Sex: JustForFans / OnlyFans

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted the world economy in serious ways. Prior to the global pandemic, the landscape of self-promotion as an artist was already taking off in the digital realm. Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube rose to the top of the field. However these entities expend a lot of effort, time, and energy to limit access or remove adult content out of their own legal protective interests. Sites like XTube have recently taken actions that have limited adult content creators options. 

Now it’s 2021 and over that past year it appears that the LGBTQIA broader community has become more familiar and possibly comfortable with sites like JustFor.Fans and OnlyFans.com as platforms where personal freedoms are housed for body positivity, sexual expression, art/modeling, and more. 

What do we think about this development? How much have these options helped people financially through the past year plus? Is this a natural evolution while portions of society struggle with conservative vs progressive viewpoints? 

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