Young couples often face many problems. Sometimes a bit of foresight or consultation could prevent those problems, but they may only realize the amount of damage that is done when it is too late.

Sometimes problems arise when young couples are prevented from meeting their prospective in-laws early enough in their relationship.

This may happen because of a fear that the meeting will have unfortunate consequences. One partner may "shield" the other from being accepted. This may seem to work well during the courtship period, but subsequently, it can have negative ramifications.

The partner may realize that they are being shielded, and may question why it is necessary. A typical answer would be, "Well, my parents act in the following manner [insert some amplified and exaggerated examples], but don't worry, I'm not like that." The in-laws are thus presented in a very negative light.

The examples are often reinforced over the course of time, even after the couple is married, in order to justify the need to distance the partner from the parents. This is to be expected. Just as love will grown and feed on itself when the relationship is based on love, the opposite will happen when the relationship is based on hatred.

By the time the couple does get married, the partner may perceive the in-laws as monsters. The situation may become so difficult that the unfortunate in-laws, who may have had no negative feelings towards the new member of the family, now have to defend themselves against a series of unwarranted accusations.

The parents may also face a difficult situation:

• If they deny the accusations, then they give the message that the partnership was built on a series of lies. They may not want to give that message, because they do not want to destroy the relationship between the couple.
• If they do not deny the accusations, then they are admitting that the accusations are indeed true.

Thus, in some cases, relationships built on hate may never be resolved satisfactorily.