The phrase hedgehog's dilemma refers to the notion that:
(1) The closer two beings come to one another in a relationship, the more likely it might be for them to inflict psychological pain on each other
(2) Yet if they remain apart, they each might feel the roughly-equivalent (psychological) pain of loneliness.
This notion comes from the conjecture that hedgehogs, with sharp spines on their backs, might hurt each other if they get too close. It is a character trait believed to be possessed by some individuals, in real life as well as in works of fiction, sometimes causing anti-social behaviours, often allegedly caused by an unpleasant past experience of intimate relationships. A person who suffers from the hedgehog's dilemma will usually avoid becoming too close or involved with someone, due to fear of another similar, possibly painful, experience, such as they had experienced in the past.
(1) The closer two beings come to one another in a relationship, the more likely it might be for them to inflict psychological pain on each other
(2) Yet if they remain apart, they each might feel the roughly-equivalent (psychological) pain of loneliness.
This notion comes from the conjecture that hedgehogs, with sharp spines on their backs, might hurt each other if they get too close. It is a character trait believed to be possessed by some individuals, in real life as well as in works of fiction, sometimes causing anti-social behaviours, often allegedly caused by an unpleasant past experience of intimate relationships. A person who suffers from the hedgehog's dilemma will usually avoid becoming too close or involved with someone, due to fear of another similar, possibly painful, experience, such as they had experienced in the past.
Porcupines are a better example of the hedgehog's dilemma due to their commonly known dangerously sharp spines. As you can imagine, getting too close to them will provoke them and might force a few spines in you in self defense.
by amachi February 16, 2008
A lonely heart experiencing hedgehog's dilemma craves loving relationship but:
1
Doubts that love as she defines it is possible
2
Has built up a wall around her heart as a defense from past hurts
3
Is in love and is afraid, very afraid
4
Is necessarily cautious
1
Doubts that love as she defines it is possible
2
Has built up a wall around her heart as a defense from past hurts
3
Is in love and is afraid, very afraid
4
Is necessarily cautious
Is one suffering from hedgehog's dilemma more compatible with a porcupine, who is also guarded, or a puppy that is open to and unafraid of love?
by LetsPlayKeepAway December 11, 2019
A rather uninteresting electro group from Ashland Oregon. Sounds like what you'd hear if you put two TVs on at the same time, one tuned to static, the other tuned to commercials and 50's movies, then stood between them with their respective volumes at 1.5.
by FatSabbath October 17, 2013