Romantic relationships play a very important role, and without them our life would be senseless. However, if we compare the modern romantic relationship with the ones in the 1980s, we will see that they and their values are absolutely different.
The main and the most obvious difference is dating and meeting each other. In the 80s there was no internet and almost no mobile phone, therefore people usually met each other in different public places: gums, libraries, supermarkets. It is possible to say that they simply did not have any other choice. Therefore, in the past people were more sociable and open-minded. However nowadays in the era of internet and mobile technologies, more and more people prefer online dating websites or application in order to find a partner for romantic relationships. According to the statistics, most of people have a positive attitude to online dating (59%) and this percentage is constantly increasing because in 2005 it was only 44%. The statistics also says the majority of online dating users are young people at the age 18-24 years old. (Smith) As for I believe that this kind of dating is killing a proper romance and makes dating not a romantic, but more technological process.
It is also possible to say that in contrast to 1980s, the romantic relationships in the 21st century are not as long-lasting and permanent as several decades ago. The reasons of it are also modern technologies. In 80s, when people had only face-to-face communication, they tried to spend more time together, which definitely contributed to the establishment of solid long-lasting relationship. It is obvious that the more time you spend with a person, the more attached you feel to this person. As opposite nowadays when texting messages become so easy and free, people prefer sometimes to chat online instead of going on a real date. Also, the development of such technologies as Skype allows people to have videochat and dating without even leaving a house. There is no more such romance as it existed in 1980s. (Holman)
Thus, it might be concluded that romantic relationship and their values have changed during the last years influenced by innovations of fast-developing word. It is difficult to say what kind of romantic relationships we will have in the future, but definitely not like we had in 1980s.
Works Cited
Holman, Rebecca. “The difficulties of 21st-century dating”. The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. 11 Feb 2013. Web. 6 Apr 2016
Smith, Aaron. “5 facts about online dating” PewResearch Center. Pew Research Center. 29 Feb 2016. Web. 6 Apr 016.
