It’s easy to think that our commonly-held beliefs about love, romance and relationships have stood the test of time. But in reality, how people love and the concepts surrounding love have changed over and over again as a result of social norms being challenged. This is not necessarily a bad thing. However, some people favor the ‘older’ ways of approaching the matters of love.
The romanticizing of love, almost to an exaggerated degree, has always been present in romantic movies and novels of the past. In fact, some people even envy this passion, like that of such books as The Notebook, The Fault in Our Stars, or Pride and Prejudice. Although things may have changed in their modern romantic equivalents, finding love in the 21st century still has its advantages. Here are a few ways romance has changed for many people throughout time.
Universal Love
Communication is perhaps the most drastically changed concept of romance over time. With the technological advancements and online platforms made available, billions of people across the world can connect with one another. This expands a person’s options significantly, as they can now reach people in entirely different time zones, which is impressive when you compare this to dating in the early 20th century. Individuals met one another simply by passing on the street or meeting at a public event.
Today’s ability to communicate far and wide is very beneficial as it helps to spread cultural awareness and diversify the dating scene. However, some people may argue that technology and the internet in general has separated people even more.
Connected, Yet Disconnected
Although technology and social media has given individuals the opportunity to reach more prospects, it has also impacted how people communicate in their interpersonal relationships. While it certainly has its benefits, social media and technology in general can create a rift among couples who may spend too much time on these platforms. With that said, dates and relationships of the past may have had significantly more face-to-face interactions without the existence of smartphones.
Courting vs Dating
Courting used to be the common tradition among those who took an interest in each other. Traditionally, a man would have to meet with a woman’s family and introduce himself, seeking approval to be her suitor. Today, these traditions are much more rare, though many people still see value and respect in asking the father of their bride-to-be for approval.
Chivalry vs. Courtesy
Is chivalry really dead? While it may not be as prominent as it was in the past, there are a few reasons why this may be so. With the advent of women seeking and receiving much more equality today, much of chivalry dissipated whereas common courtesy took its spot. Proper etiquette is implemented simply because people understand that they should treat others how they would like to be treated. That is not to say that chivalry has ceased to exist entirely, but rather it has adapted over time.
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