Dating in Today's World - is it History?
Friends with benefits. Some people say this has been around for a long time. But, just like everything else…this is becoming more popular with teens. The Urban Dictionary defines friends with benefits as, two friends who have a sexual relationship without being emotionally involved. Typically two good friends who have casual sex without a monogamous relationship or any kind of commitment.
When I first heard how this type of ‘relationship’ if you want to call it that, was gaining popularity with teens, of course I had to dig deeper…and all I can say is…oh my god, now this?
I came across an article in the New York Times (read this here), that left me in amazement. This article made me realize even more how much relationships have changed since we were kids. Dating as we know it is a thing of the past. It is now all about ‘hooking up’.
Lots of parents encourage their kids to not get romantically involved at a young age…hang out with your friends…have fun…you are young. I think this is great advice but now I am starting to wonder.
These kids are doing just that, but of course are taking it to the extreme. The New York Times article reads, “Having close friends of the opposite sex makes romantic relationships less essential. Besides, if you feel like something more, there is no need to feign interest in a dinner and a movie. You can just hook up or call one of your friends with benefits.”
When we were in school wasn’t a girl called, oh something like a slut or a tramp for being this way?
Are we as parents and a world for that matter condemning this? Should we be encouraging monogamy and relationships instead of always ‘safe sex’. I wonder if the world has become so caught up in ‘safe sex’ that we are not doing enough to explain further about emotional relationships and morals?
Dalia is a freelance writer and mother of three balancing life and raising kids in this new world.