
We all love a good love story and always have. Remembering reading ‘Mills and Boons’ novels at eight years old and sighing in ecstasy, when the main characters confessed their love to each other. In retrospect, one wonders why they went through the hassling conversation of “when did you realise that you were in love with me?”
Currently, this will have one wonder if that matters as long as love is present.
Anyway, it is not certain if GenZ can relate to romance, as did back in the day, especially with the alarming rate at which situationships seem to have taken the center stage. It’s not like situationships haven’t always been a thing, it just seems like they are replacing relationships, the good kind.
For those who don’t know what a situationship is, Oxford has got you covered. It defines it as “a romantic or sexual relationship that is not considered to be formal or established.” See? Even Oxford knows that it isn’t a relationship that is built on a firm foundation so to speak.
Dr Jess Carbido elaborates on the definition by stating, “Situationships can be defined as a romantic relationship that lacks commitment and the associated norms and expectations. Beginning to sound or look familiar? Situationships simply refer to relationships that lack definition and direction. Some might argue that they are defined and do have direction but when placed side by side with societal expectations of a wholesome relationship, situationships fall desperately short.
Back then, men were a bit more intentional and would tell you right off the bat what their intentions were. Yes, there were the ones that lied about what they wanted but they all knew the most important thing; defining the relationship from the beginning was the key to getting a positive answer.