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The Art of Give and Take

The backbone of healthy relationships

Edy Zoo
3 min readMar 17, 2023
There is a neon sign with the words “don’t just take, give.”
Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash

All relationships, whether personal or professional, rest on the assumption that there will be give and take and that, on balance, things will even out. When both parties contribute their fair share, relationships flourish, fostering trust, reciprocity, and emotional security.

However, when one person does nothing but take, riding on other people’s coattails, the relationship can become strained, leading to resentment and frustration. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of give and take in relationships and provide insights into dealing with those who seem to only take.

The Science Behind Reciprocity

A 2013 study published in the journal Psychological Science found that reciprocity, the act of giving and receiving in relationships, plays a significant role in fostering trust and cooperation. The study demonstrated that when individuals engage in acts of giving and receiving, they develop stronger bonds with one another. This reciprocity is essential for the stability and success of any relationship, be it a friendship, romantic partnership, or professional collaboration.

The Givers and the Takers

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Edy Zoo
Edy Zoo

Written by Edy Zoo

Edy Zoo is a social critic, theologian, and philosopher who writes about social subjects.

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