Published by Ori

Category: Romance

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Romantic relationships being prioritized over platonic ones is actual propaganda

As the title suggests, why the hell is everyone so obsessed with romance? Don't get me wrong, I am in no way unaffected by it, but it rubs me the wrong way when it's normalized to facetime your long distance partner or go on frequent dates while friendships are treated more casually.

There is just more societal value to a romantic partner compared to a platonic friend and that's so restrictive. Like don't put all your eggs in one basket, it's really counterintuitive to put all your time & effort into one person cuz you never know if they'll leave you.

I lowkey think it's capitalist propaganda.. like to sell wedding rings, bouquets, etc. AND to push for less community. Think abt it, one house = one couple with their own furniture, car, etc.

Ofc romance is also heavily pushed in art and media, like can you even name a song that isn't about romance?

I'm not tryna be a hater, but romance is overrated and I wish platonic relationships were valued more.

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100% agree. The push to be in a romantic relationship is grueling. Romance is marketed as a "further state" of friendship, which, y'know, is utter bull. It drives me mad when people say a couple are "something more" because no! So often, people will date someone they had no previous connections to. You're telling me that's a deeper connection that a best friend you've had for years? Gosh, I get so angry thinking about it.

As was said here, it also makes it hard to befriend people when you combine it with heteronormativity. Men and women are seen as either weird outliers, closeted queer people, or lovers in denial when they're friends. Don't even get me started on aromantic-spectrum people. God, putting up with the, "When will you date?" when you're aro-spec sounds like hell.

I can't agree nor disagree with it being a capitalist thing. Honestly, I'd guess it stems more from sexism. However, companies do capitalise on it a lot. I mean, we all know how Valentine's Day is marketed. Also, I genuinely don't know how romance is prioritised in non-capitalist countries.
I totally agree with this!! It also makes it harder being friends with the opposite gender because unfortunately most people see it as getting to know someone only to date. Like NO I'M GETTING TO KNOW YOU TO JUST GET TO KNOW YOU :( it's weird because it feels like people stopped going from friends to lovers and are now jumping straight to acquaintances to dating. Also again totally agree on the thought that romance makes lots of money so it's pushed more, like you said weddings.
real though !! i am dating a few of my friends now but before then they were 100% my top priority along with my girlfriend at the time just because i was so close and comfortable with all of them. i don’t have relationship hierarchies personally because i believe that every one of my friends is just my best friend. and everyone else is a friend or evil there is no in between. it doesn’t really matter if we’re dating or not i just love my friends so much and can’t believe how that isn’t represented more :[
I talked about this, specifically amatonormativity, with my friend (both of us are a-spec) and it's all bullshit. Why do we even need relationship hierarchies? It makes me frustrated that platonic relationships are still seen not as valuable as romantic relationships. I tend to go over and beyond for my friends because I love them but the second they get themselves into a romantic relationship, I'm somehow less of a priority. It makes me feel like I'm just a placeholder for people before they get a romantic partner. The truth is I can't simply just change how other people treat or view their interpersonal relationships. So, I try my best to manage my expectations and figure out what kind of boundaries I need to make clear because it genuinely breaks my heart to be treated like a placeholder.
sometimes it feels like I'm going crazy like wioefjlnh5ohi ty for ur input
I AGREE SO MUCH its very frustrating... i love hanging out with friends, and i understand relationships are commitments to a person, but sometimes ive had friends leave their friends in the dust in comparison to their partner :( like i will ask to hang out, and its always "no, i have something to do with my partner"

society definitely prioritizes the romantic relationship over any other one, which makes me sad. i love my friends, i love my family. and i dont want to throw them all away for just one romantic partner. idk, it also just doesnt make much sense to me.