A relationship is all about trusting the partner while committing to it honestly. While there are rules which are unsaid and followed without any question. Cheating on a partner, or keeping secrets from them is a universal no-no. Would it get any better if there was actually a rulebook to look up to and follow to maintain a healthy and loving relationship? Well, the debate was sparked when a woman on TikTok shared in a pair of videos how she likes to keep a set of strict rules for her partner so that the “unwanted crap” doesn’t creep in. User @bmcpher revealed she resorts to some strict rules with her partner to lead a “healthy partnership”.

The video has its comments turned off, but as the video surfaced on Twitter, commentators stated how shallow they consider these rules. The video shares rule some of which have been condemned as controlling and unhealthy rooted in deep insecurity. As the short video plays the underlay text reads, “No friends of the opposite sex,” “No work gfs/bfs or being alone with the opposite sex. No texting the opposite sex without the other knowing,” in the first part of the video.

It reaches the zenith of hypocrisy when the second part of the video appeared on the platform which further raised the brows of the viewers. The user known by the name Bailey sparked a debate on the internet on some obvious relationship rules as she posted another video with captions: “Rules my husband and I have for our marriage which makes people angry.” As the video follows with “No lusting after others (no following scandalous pages),” followed by the word “No” with the corn on the cob emoji, which seems to hint that neither is allowed to consume pornography and “Always put each other first (even over parents),” which again didn’t go well with the viewers as they hurled question of co-dependency and loyalty.

Twitterati comments stating their opinions like: “ People have more freedoms in North Korea”, with a sarcastic undertone while another user writes: “Ummm you have to make that a rule - a gentleman would never do that”, to state the obvious.Coming to the topic, is it really necessary to frame the rules? As those simply trapped in toxic and even abusive relationships came front with their experiences similar to those enlisted in the video. Both videos collectively gained over three million views while many media outlets highlighted the viral video and the regressive outlook to control a relationship. What’s your take on it?