It's no secret that my parents have a crap relationship. I think they probably argue around 4 times a day. Growing up I had come to assume that arguments, snappy comments and insults were the norm. I'd also decided to never marry for fear of ending up like them. It's only after talking to friends whose parents have great relationships that I've realised they expect so much more; arguments are rare and if they do occur it's a sign that it's not working, they believe in happy relationships.
I never knew just how much influence my own parents relationship had on my own views about what I want from a relationship.
Has anyone else found they're more cynical /optimistic due to their experiences of how happy their parents were?