Argue!

The article "Go ahead and argue, it can be good for your health" by Rachael Rettner at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38698442/ns/health-behavior/ says that letting the issue come out is more healthy than bottling it up.  Cortisol levels rise, married couples have been shown to die sooner, and other side effect are showing themselves as researches look further into what health impacts are associated with lack of arguments. 

Seemingly quite often in the American society females are expected to, from a young age, keep their feelings in rather than face confrontation and the possibility of repercussions from disagreeing.  Most, not all, of the women I meet and get to know would rather side-step an uncomfortable issue rather than just coming out and saying what is on her mind.  Suggestions, looks, and passive aggressive behavior which can be misunderstood or over looked (we can't read your minds, now can we?).  Also noted is that women often idolize or envy women who can and do express their opinions without trying to disguise the meaning, especially discomforting news.  Might I be so bold as to cite the television series "Bones" as the perfect example?

Men do tend towards being more forward, but also seem to hold more in than women and society often give them credit for.  One aspect that should be greatly respected of male interactions is their willingness to "fight it out" if need be.  Not saying that a bar brawl is called for over every little issue, but it gets the problem solved.  Not logically, not "right", but allows for closure of the situation.

The article is short and rather lacking in depth reviews or facts, but is an interesting starting point to get one thinking.  There are many more articles on stress and arguments available.  Should you need a reason to justify and argument or confrontation, it can't hurt to cite an article scientifically showing that you should argue.