Close your eyes and imagine that you are in the 1950's. You are out drinking with your friends and you meet a boy/girl. If this person sparks your interest enough for you to consider the fact that you may want to see them again, what do you do? Home phones were really your only option so either you have to risk the potential for their parents, friends, or someone else answering the phone, or not call at all. Your other option is to schedule another meeting time and place, but you have to do this face to face. No mindlessly taking down a phone number and texting them later that night asking them if they want to “chill".
Essentially, if you really wanted to spend time with someone you just met you would have to actually put in effort, crazy concept right? Well it shouldn't be.
The technological age has sparked a sense of entitlement and easy access for both men and women. With a simple message, Facebook friend request, or Instagram 'like' men and women are creating impersonal and effortless social pathways that can easily lead to romantic relationships – but is this damaging our perception of what a romantic relationship should be?
Other technologies such as filters and editing apps have completely blown up to the point where girls are able to blur out blemishes all over their face and bodies, setting unrealistic expectations for everyone else. Similarly, if you look completely different in person than in your pictures, you're actually doing yourself a strong disservice. Love yourself, and embrace your flaws, and others will too.
This medium by which we form our relationships with others makes issues like cheating and external flirting a much more accessible idea and therefore makes it more prevalent in our society these days, especially living in a college town with tons of romantic options.
Yes, tools such as text messaging and Facebook lurking allow us more insight into an individual's personality and likes and dislikes, but that is the point of getting to know someone personally.
Wouldn't you rather learn which Greek organization they are in, their favorite restaurant, or that they happen to know your friend from back home through a real conversation over dinner and drinks? Through the impersonal interactions that take place via your iPhone, you are missing out on a large amount of crucial details regarding ones genuine personality. You are missing out on the rush, when you barely know someone and have to go out on a limb and make yourself vulnerable, with the potential of failure, but is not that what it's all about? That's the fun of getting to know someone.
Technology has produced a large amount of social anxiety within our society for we as people find it bizarre and almost blasphemous to have to interact with others in a face-to-face environment.
We also have image issues. Think to yourself about that one couple. The one that is all over Facebook and Instagram with their pictures that are “so cute that you can't even." The fact that couples feel like they have to prove that they love each other through the means of social media is sad and completely unrealistic.
I am guilty of it myself, always forcing my boyfriend to take cute pictures with me. But it's really all of the times that you live in the moment and forget about any social norms that society places on individuals and relationships that are truly the greatest and most meaningful moments.
