Many men of the modern era have no substance as to what respect is.
What happened to sharing milkshakes, drive in movies, and holding the door open for your loved one? It has become increasingly common for men to be known for distrust and disloyalty. There’s no more romance involved; it’s all take, take from men, and that needs to change, or this generation is screwed.
In the 1950’s, romantic gestures were sought by formality and romantic planning. Men were expected to follow a strict code of courtship, oftentimes it involved thoughtful gestures of romance. For instance, arranging a milkshake date at a local diner or going to see a drive in movie.
Not only expressions of romantic interest but also reflections of the value the women have to them.
Handwritten love letters were oftentimes key for a romantic gesture. These elaborative letters were cherished tokens of affection, not inappropriate or nasty; they were simply love letters to acknowledge the love and affection the man had. They required time and effort, which were seen as demonstrations of genuine commitment.
Men would also engage in acts of chivalry, such as opening doors, pulling out chairs, and paying for dates, which reinforced their roles as providers and protectors in the context of romantic relationships.
Fast forward to now, the 21st Century, women also have changed along with men. Finding the one for you may be hard in this generation, but men and women both need to be respectable and loyal to one another.
Nowadays technology has changed perspectives; handwritten letters and face to face romantic gestures have been taken over by texts and emojis.
The “romantic era” has slowly diminished as both men and women of this era are still going by the “hookup era.”
Due to this now accepted and normalized “era”, traditional chivalrous acts of the past may be less emphasized, with romantic gestures now being more collaborative and less expectation and standards are now lowered.
The transition from the romantic expectations of the 1950s to contemporary practices best shows the significant changes in men and womens expectations of “relationships”.
While modern romance may lack some of the formal gestures of the past, it reflects a change within both parties. The essence of romance remains the same to some which would be a deep, genuine connection between man and women or boy and girl; it transcends the methods of communication and cultural expectations.
As society continues to evolve the ways men express their love and commitment differently based on upbringing and adaptation of norms in our new era. In all giggles and hopes I am in awe and hope of the men and women of this era to get their mind out of the gutters, face reality, and put an end to this normalized “hookup era.”
Find someone of worth and value who respects and values you, and that goes for both guys and girls, men and women.
Though this may be sad we must continue the search for romantic men and women who are compatible and are of the same understanding of one’s worth and willingness to both express in a romantic and respectable manner.
However, the woman should also be privy to love gestures and gain the respect of the man. It’s a two way street.