Relationships

Media is the probe that influences the actions of others around them. There are endless portrayals of romance and relationships as you channel surf or search the web. On TV one cant help but be bombarded with reality shows about finding love, how to find love and people making love but what does it all mean to the viewer. These people we see on TV are just acting, or are seriously scripted for "reality" shows, so why am I judging myself against these stereotypes of what makes a good relationship. 

Women, in general, want the fairy tail they are told of as children. But does the fairy tail really exist? Will my prince come rescue me from my horrible life and make my life forever better? I think not. There is no prince charming and that's not a bad thing. If we hold all relationships on a pedestal we are bound to be let down. I'm not saying that there are not good, healthy relationships out there, but they do not come as easy as they make it seem in the movies and TV.

Our parents also influence relationships and romance. In my case, I grew up in a loving family where my parents would kiss hello and goodbye before or entering the house. So I grew up thinking that was how it was supposed to work. I see and hear other families, where the parents don't show affection toward each other, which is only relaying to the children that the way relationships work is to hide the emotions; which it turns out is probably not a healthy relationship. Our peers as well influence how we act in relationships. 

If I see two people holding hands, walking down the street, I feel that is too what I should be doing to show my affection. When I see people making out in public, tells me they are very comfortable with showing the whole world their affections. I may or may not agree with everything I see around me, but it still effects me none the less. 

I feel that men have pressures too to act a certain way or express emotions. But the problems men have is the fear of vulnerability. Men are told not to show emotions because that is a "girl" thing to do. Its hard to break through the tough exterior to see the real man hiding below. I feel that men see the same images through the media that women do, but they absorb the information differently. The men will see two people making out, and they will only take in the info that says, men need to be the strong, controlling, power hungry, type and will not see the emotions behind the love making. They will see that men get glory out of being with multiple women, so they too will follow the "trend". Men need to wake up and the coffee to realize NO WOMEN want to be with a player, so you may want to get your priorities straight.