What is Stonewalling?

@Mammmood – I think you nailed it when you mentioned ego. Stonewalling psychology is the root of a lot of problems in marriage, and the root of stonewalling is pride.

Pride keeps people from being totally open and honest with each other. It keeps them from admitting when they’re wrong. It keeps them from listening to the other party.

Pride keeps someone from seeking help when they know they need it. They stonewall, ignore the sound advice, and go about their business. The only way to deal with such a person, ironically, is to quit asking them questions. Instead, create an environment where they’re free to open up.

You’ll find that people will eventually reveal themselves when they can do so without fear of condemnation or retribution.

@MrMoody - Stonewalling is usually meant to protect another party, so I wouldn’t go so hard on the politicians-even if they otherwise deserve it.

A stonewalling husband who’s had an affair, for example, might not tell his wife because he thinks he wants to protect her. Maybe he had a one-time fling and he’s determined that it won’t happen again. So he reasons that his wife should not find out, to protect her and their marriage.

I’m not defending the practice-maybe he thinks his wife wouldn’t be able to handle the truth. To quote a famous line: “You can’t handle the truth!” I think the wife can handle it, personally, and the husband is thinking more about his ego than his wife, despite his claims to the contrary.

Why do politicians stonewall so much in the face of an aggressive media that likes the scent of blood?

I realize elected officials sometimes get caught in scandals. But the best policy is just to tell the truth the first time around; the cover up is what gets them.

Sometimes the original crime, if indeed it was a crime, wasn’t so bad-but the cover up is much worse. Perjury will easily get you jail time, and there’s not a whole lot of slack there.

Stonewalling is a frustrating tactic to have to endure for the person wanting some feedback, but there are other ways to get the information you want when the other party is clamming up.

Study their body language. It won’t give you detailed information about what is going on inside, but it will tell you if they’re lying, tentative, intimidated, etc.

You can usually tell when someone has to pause to make up a story, or look down or shuffle when asked a pointed question. You don’t exactly know what the truth is, perhaps, but you know that they’re not telling it.

The slang expression, stonewalling, really covers a lot of territory in a lot of different relationship situations. I think that relations between teenagers and parents involves a lot of stonewalling.

In most cases, the parents are the aggressors. Teens will flatly refuse to listen to the parent's view point. They will clam up and not even consider a parent's plan and will not even negotiate. Usually, in the past, a teen has tried to get his way or negotiate some, but has given up. When confronted or stonewalled by parents, now, he or she just looks down and stomps off to his/her room, or leaves the house with the thought of doing some rebellious deed.

It's a tough few years for teens and parents, but usually passes and calmer times return.

Just an after thought. General Jackson, during the Civil War, was nicknamed "Stonewall Jackson."

I wonder if he had a habit of stonewalling?

If a husband or wife utilizes stonewalling, then perhaps a handwritten letter could get a reaction. Maybe the walled-up person feels uncomfortable discussing emotions verbally, and that person might possibly communicate through writing.

@rugbygirl - I do think that there are times when stonewalling is called for, but I guess you're right that stonewalling in a relationship means something is awfully wrong.

The times I think stonewalling is appropriate are mostly when facing intrusive questions or inappropriate criticism. Think nosy aunt, competitive friend, etc. These people often shut up, mercifully, when confronted with a blank stare.

But if your significant other is giving you reasons to stonewall, that in itself is a problem, and the stonewalling certainly won't improve matters!

Stonewalling kills marriage. But it's not necessarily a one-way street. A dear friend f mine has been accused by his wife of "stonewalling," and he is and he shouldn't. But she want to rehash the same issues over and over and over again and pick on him about every little thing. He just shuts down, which naturally makes her more upset.

If you've ever tried to talk to someone who's stonewalling, you know that it can make you desperate to get a response. That's what happens to her--she escalates and escalates. I hope they'll see a counselor and learn better communication techniques before it's too late!