Romance and Culture

    Some cultures might look at romance differently. In a Ted Talk I recently watched it talked about how our metric system of success is based on what we've seen everyone else do, but is that coming from an ethnocentric perspective due to our own culture? Even if we base it simply off our family culture outlook on romantic relationships that can still have biases. Maybe in my family i've been taught certain warning signs of when a relationship is in trouble, but in another family or culture the warning signs could look completely different then what i've been taught. On the other hand, maybe i've been taught certain things that would signal to me that a relationship is going in the right direction and that could look completely different in a different culture as well. Depending on our environment and the cultural information given within that environment can impact and determine how that information shapes us, our beliefs, values, ect. 

    One of the many things I have learned in this class so far is that many things based on culture is on a spectrum, what works in one culture may not work at all in another and vice versa. This hopefully can lead us to remain open minded and respectful before we judge another culture that we might not understand fully. When it comes to romance and different cultures we may have to reject what we know about relationships and avoid focusing on whats "normal"  because in relationships there are two unique individuals with two completely different backgrounds and maybe even different cultures which makes relationships more nuanced then we think. 

    If we can approach romantic relationships with a more multicultural view and embrace our differences rather then try to change fundamental aspects of each other then maybe we will better understand our partner and appreciate them better. Sometimes its okay to rethink what we have once been taught to make something new work and to possibly create a new culture that works best for your relationship. I can see how romance may look different in different cultures and that there is no right or wrong when it comes to the way people choose the engage with it. Culture has something to do with everything, it is a universal thing that we all have and are apart of even if we aren't aware of it. It is a crucial aspect of an individuals life and impacts so many different aspects of it, the way we communicate, how we dress, how we look at romantic relationships, wether we are more independent or interdependent, societal expectations, defining values, our world view and so much more. 

    I know there are many different ways that culture can affect ones life. The way we see and engage with the world around us and specifically romance and romantic relationships. I think it's important that when you are in a relationship to take into account the differences you may have and embrace them, and work with and around them so you can both feel seen, heard, and understood to the core of what makes you who you are.

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