Conflict in Romance

I was at the C3 Conference in Maryland in 2019, on a panel about romance and we were asked about whether or not a battle of the sexes was required in a romance. One of my fellow panelists said, “Yes, because that’s where the conflict comes from in the story.”

Being contrary, I disagreed and said that while yes, conflict is needed in a romance (or any story), it doesn’t necessarily have to be between the couple.

In the video below, I provide all the different options for conflict in a romance.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Can you have a worthwhile romance when the conflict is not between the couple?