What About A One-Sided Relationship?

Dear CMR,

I feel like I have heard it all — "relationships are a two-way street," "both people need to be in it to win it," and "it's not healthy to be in a one-sided relationship." What do you suggest in a relationship where only one person wants to change and grow to work out the relationship while the other is complacent? How do you cope with it or try to make it thrive? 

Thanks,
One-Sided Relationship

Dear One-Sided Relationship,

Relationships are strongly dependent on both people being willing to grow and learn and invest and care for each other. By not putting in effort, or if one-sided, then you need to consider ending the investment in the relationship in order to not get hurt. It is doubtful such a person will change, and there is much research showing that marriage to a person who is already showing these unhealthy traits will not change them, i.e., make them more giving, kind, etc.