Love is always in the air. And in the cloud. Because Cupid also has plenty of digital arrows on his bow these days. Love knows many forms and has gone through many developments over the centuries. From practical and arranged to fiery and filtered.
The evolution of love
A trip down memory lane: romantic relationships have gone through many evolutions. In the Middle Ages, love was often linked to survival needs, such as food supply, protection and reproduction. Marriages were made up by families and tribes. And choosing the right partner often focused more on practical considerations than on “true love. Until the 18th and 19th centuries; at that time romantic relationships were increasingly seen as a source of individual happiness and fulfillment. Although marriages were still arranged, there was more room for personal choice.
In the 20th century, love relationships changed dramatically with the rise of the sexual revolution and changing gender roles. More attention came to equality and new forms of relationships emerged, from unmarried cohabitation to open unions.
The times we live in today have also brought about much. The desire for individual freedom and self-expression is growing and creating more diversity in relationships. Slowly, traditional gender roles are fading. Today’s generation values personal development and the pursuit of ambitions.
Yes, I do … one day
Getting married is still very popular. People still like to have their love officially recorded, although such a ring on the finger is given less value than in the past. And that started in the twentieth century. The rise of individualism put marriage on the back burner. And because women are now also more likely to pursue (and achieve) careers and financial independence, marriage is less important to their economic stability. Whereas some walked toward the altar as early twenties, that age is increasingly shifting toward their early thirties.
What also does not add to the importance of the ring is the ease with which any married couple can now divorce again in no time. It used to be not done, but the taboo is thankfully gone. No one wants to be “trapped” in a loveless marriage.
From left to right…
The suffering called online dating. Or maybe just the entertainment or success called online dating. Who could have imagined fifteen years ago that loves were for swiping? Everyone has a different association with this phenomenon. Maybe you have met the love of your life thanks to swiping from left to right (and vice versa) or you have played out all the apps to no avail.