A2 Essay

Love and romance are often considered individual and private experiences. How might we also understand love and romance as shaped by society or culture? Draw on at least one sociological theory in your response. In today’s era where everyone is encouraged to be unique, relationships are a bit of a rollercoaster. They swing between moments of bliss and potential disasters, and predicting when one will turn into the other is tricky (Bauman, 2003). Illouz (2012) suggests that choice is the big player in our modern culture. It is what defines us and influences how we see ourselves—it is both a right and a skill. Giddens introduces the terms 'confluent love' and 'the pure relationship' to describe the emerging ways people are approaching relationships in Western culture (Dougherty, 2018). It's like a framework to understand how modern changes, both social and technological, are shaking up traditional ideas of love and romance. According to Bauman (2003) the old-school concept of sticking together 'till death do us part' is no longer in fashion. The trend of everyone doing their own thing has turned social bonds into something more like quicksilver—shifty and not so solid. Hobbs, Owen & Gerber (2016) also contend that traditional values of marriage and family have eroded with changing social norms. Despite this trend towards individualization, many still hold love in high regard. Love has often been showed as a force that overwhelms without regard for personal will. However, a valuable perspective on understanding how love has transformed in present times is through the lens of choice (Illouz, 2012). Comparing it to earlier generations, individuals today face a constant barrage of choices when it comes to forming relationships. This plethora of options contributes to a weakening of bonds, as people become wary of the unpredictable and fluid nature inherent in modern relationships. Examining history reveals a clear link between societal attitudes toward individualism and the prevailing models of love and romance. This connection shapes how people understand and navigate love and romance within their specific cultural context. The Greek philosopher Plutarch (c. 90-100 A.D.) held a stance against the concept of individuality, attaching its rise to the erosion of traditional values. Plutarch saw the emerging trend of romantic love in Rome as individualistic and disruptive to familial structures. Within this framework, romantic love was perceived as being grounded in personal attraction rather than institutional considerations, with a diminished emphasis on the duties, purposes, and responsibilities traditionally associated with the marital bond (Zimmerman, 1947, as cited in Lantz, 1982). During the Middle Ages, feudalism enforced a similarly stratified societal order, and relationships between men and women were intricately tied to property and economic considerations. This period Jacquelene Opoku 17798512

prioritized the formation of alliances, the securing of heirs, and the accumulation of generational wealth (Folsom, 1943, as cited in Lantz, 1982). Following the decline of feudalism, the ideology and acceptance of romantic love gradually spread. By the late 17th and 18th centuries in Europe, romantic love became prevalent among the upper class, and marriage evolved into a personal choice. However, traditional norms persisted, requiring men to seek fathers' permission before courting their daughters, and engagements were publicly announced in church, affording the community an opportunity to voice objections to the union. Therefore, it is imperative to explore the sociocultural attitudes of earlier epochs to discern the correlation between the increasing tolerance and acceptance of romantic love and individualism. This examination sheds light on how love and romance have been shaped and approached across different historical contexts. Transformative changes in global affairs and societal landscapes play a crucial role in shaping the evolution of love and romance. Ciabattari (2017) draws attention to the 19th and 20th centuries, characterized by significant economic shifts from agrarian to industrial societies. This period witnessed a substantial migration of people from rural farms to burgeoning urban centres in pursuit of improved opportunities. The resultant domestic migration and influx of immigrants not only contributed to the urban population boom but also fostered a climate of diversity and individual autonomy. Ciabattari (2017) highlights the intense impact of these societal transformations on the dynamics of love and courtship. With newfound independence, the younger generation experienced a paradigm shift in their approach to romantic relationships. Courtship, once heavily influenced by parental and community involvement, transitioned toward a model centred on individual choice. Young individuals were granted the autonomy to spend time alone, allowing for a more thorough assessment of relationship compatibility. This evolution ultimately led to a redefined concept of marriage, where the emphasis shifted from familial or economic considerations to the foundational importance of love. While romantic love is often celebrated and pursued by many, feminist critiques offer a contrasting perspective, viewing it as an ideology that historically legitimized women's oppression. As per Jackson's (1993) perspective, romantic love doesn't emerge naturally within human beings; instead, it arises as a result of societal and cultural influences. This perspective argues that romantic love has been instrumental in binding women to monogamous marriages characterized by pervasive gender and power imbalances. The surge of feminism, particularly around the 1960s, coupled with increased accessibility to birth control, ushered in an era of sexual liberation for a larger segment of young adults (Garcia, Reiber, Massey, and Merriwether, 2012). Moreover, the rise of feminism and the secularization of Western societies led to the Jacquelene Opoku 17798512

2015). This understanding provides a comprehensive view of the varied ways love and romance are influenced globally. Carter (2013) argues that Western society has undergone decentralization, secularization, and individualization, reshaping love into an open canvas for couples to define based on their own terms. This self-directed journey is influenced by various cultural elements such as lyrics, advertisements, scripts, and fiction. Carter, 2013) portrays a modern Western paradox of love, highlighting a disparity between the idealized, fulfilling love promoted for individuals to aspire to and the harsh reality of a social context that cautions against investing too much trust in such love due to the fear of betrayal or separation. This discrepancy underscores the dissonance between the idealized portrayal of love propagated by commercialization and the often more challenging reality of social experiences. As sociocultural norms and behaviours evolve, so too does the landscape of love and romance. A look at major sociocultural shifts throughout history reveals how these changes have influenced the way we perceive and experience love. The era of industrialization, for instance, marked the beginning of modernization, fostering a sense of independence that extended into matters of love and romance. Activist movements have played a crucial role in breaking down traditional and heteronormative family structures, creating room for women's and LGBT liberation and alternative relationship models. Contraceptive advancements and the trend toward secularization have disconnected sex from the traditional bounds of reproduction and marriage, ushering in an era of sexual liberation. Technological advancements have further expanded the horizons of love, allowing it to transcend physical proximity. In some cases, this has resulted in more transient connections, mirroring contemporary lifestyles and attitudes towards love and romance. The interplay between individualism and collectivism in diverse cultures has a substantial impact on how love is perceived and moulded. Essentially, love and romance are socially constructed concepts that will persistently evolve as society and culture embrace new attitudes and adjust to changing times. References Jacquelene Opoku 17798512

Bauman, Z., 2003. Liquid Love: On the Frailty of Human Bonds . 1 st ed., Polity Press. Brannen. J. and Nilsen, A., 2005. Individualization, choice and structure: a discussion of current trends in sociological analysis. The Sociological Review ,, 53(3), pp.412-428 Carter, J., 2013. The curious absence of love stories in women’s talk. The Sociological Review, 61(4), pp.728-744, viewed 29 September 2023, available at https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-954X.12082 Ciabattari, T., 2017. Sociology of Families: Change, Continuity and Diversity. London: Sage. Dougherty, B., 2018. confluent love: a conversation , Doctor of Philosophy thesis, School of the Arts, English and Media, University of Wollongong, viewed 29 September 2023, available at https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses1/368 Garcia, J., Reiber, C., Massey, S. and Merriwether, A., 2012. Sexual hookup culture: a review. Review of General Psychology , 16(2), pp.161-176, viewed 30 September 2023, available at https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027911 Hobbs, M., Owen, S. & Gerber, L., 2016. Liquid love? Dating apps, sex, relationships and the digital transformation of intimacy. Journal of Sociology , 53(2), pp.271-284), viewed 30 September 2023, available at https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783316662718 Illouz, E., 2012. Why Love Hurts , Polity Press. Jackson, S., 1993. Even sociologists fall in love: an exploration in the sociology of emotions. Sociology , 27(2), pp.201-220, viewed 30 September 2023, available at https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038593027002002 Karandashev, V. (2015). A Cultural Perspective on Romantic Love. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 5 (4), viewed 29 September 2023, available at https://doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1135 Lantz, Herman R., 1982. Romantic love in the pre-modern period: a sociological commentary. Journal of Social History, 15(3), pp.349-370, viewed 30 September 2023, available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/3787152 Perelli-Harris, B., Berrington, A., Sanchez Gassen, N., Galezewska, P. and Holland, J., 2017. The rise in divorce and cohabitation: is there a link?. Population and Development Review. 43(2), pp.303-329, viewed 30 September 2023, available at Doi: 10.1111/padr.12063 Perelli-Harris, B and Bernardi, L., 2015. Exploring social norms around cohabitation: the life course, individualization and culture. Demographic Research, 33, pp.701-732 Portolan, L., and McAlister, J., 2021. Jagged love: narratives of romance on dating apps during COVID-19. Sexuality & Culture, viewed 30 September 2023, available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-021-09896-9 Jacquelene Opoku 17798512