[CHAT] Valentine's, Schmalentine's
With Valentine's Day coming up and the stores being filled with flowers and chocolates to sell, it's time to get a little romantic. Valentine's Day makes itself very apparent when it near arguably rivals Christmas even though it's celebrated by a lot less people.
"What if I don't have a special someone to celebrate it with?", some of you are surely thinking. Ever felt the pressure heighten particularly on this day or see it as a stark reminder of what you're missing? Well you've found the perfect discussion!
So how do you feel about Valentines Day and the pressure from Cupid? Just a meaningless holiday or a nice reminder to appreciate the people we love in our life? Share your thoughts by joining us here on Valentine's Day Eve at 8pm AEDT on Monday, February 13th to discuss what is truly important on Valentine's Day!
I don't mean to sound militant but I also hate gender roles and imo respecting your partner's gender identity and gender expression is a way better gift than a box of chocolates @N1ghtW1ng 
And yeessss!!! Healthy relationships being taught and normalised is so important!!
What do you think are some positives and negatives from Valentines Day?
I think we lowkey answered this in our last question ahahhahaha so I'm gonna do the negatives side this round since I think I kinda did some of the positives on the last question.
Honestly when Valentines Day comes around theres always posts and memes going around saying how single people are gonna be lonely and sit around drinking alcohol by themselves which is perceived as 'depressing' which I think is a load of bs and shows how much emphasis society puts on romantic relationships.
I think it's ridiculous that our society makes it seem as if single people are 'lost' or 'incomplete' without a partner when really we're all complete people. It also kinda ties back in to why we even have Valentines day in the first place? Like couples already have their anniversary to celebrate whats the point of Valentines?
@Jia YES YES YES! I love what you said about society making it seem as though we are incomplete without partners when we are all extremely capable of leading fulfilling and happy lives single.
@Stealth_ninja I feel like, when you have it in a school or work environment and encourage people to send things to their crush or friends or whatever, you can end up excluding those people who don't get anything and leave them feeling isolated because it could lead them to think that no one loves or cares about them, and in a school environment, loneliness isn't fun 😞
I mean, it's not unintentional, the exclusion but it still happens and it's not very nice.
Great answers with lots of persectives, next question....
What pressures or expectations do you feel are on you or other young people on this day?
What pressures or expectations do you feel are on you or other young people on this day?
I think for some people in a relationship it may fee l like they have to do certain things.
People could also feel pressured to be in a relationship with someone
What pressures or expectations do you feel are on you or other young people on this day?
I feel none now that I am no longer in the school environment. But there was always this whole girls should expect to get something even if they are single. I think it is cruel and also how the world thinks there is something wrong with you for not being in a relationship.
It seems like the school environment contributes a lot to pressure
Time for a few questions in one 😛
What are some ways you have celebrated Valentines day in the past? Do you think it's worth celebrating? Why/why not?
What are some ways you have celebrated Valentines day in the past? Do you think it's worth celebrating? Why/why not?
I've never celebrated Valentine's Day before, simply because I've never been in that kind of relationship, I guess it could be kinda fun if you had someone to celebrate it with. I identify as polyamorous so it could get complicated though 🙂 I think whether or not it's worth celebrating is really down to you and your partner/s, why you'd be celebrating and whether it would be too stressful or cause arguments or not. Like if it's going to be a fun reason for a random date then it's worth it but if it's just going to make everyone stressed about gift buying and being The Best at it it wouldn't really be worth it.
What are some ways you have celebrated Valentines day in the past? Do you think it's worth celebrating? Why/why not?
In the past when I've been in a relationship I've use Valentines Day as a day to spend together doing whatever you wish, which is nice but can sort of happen any day. I'm sorta in a new relationship this year and I'm not sure what we'll do. I think it is worth celebrating
Yeah i think its especially nice in the early years of a relationship when you're still getting to know each other, its a nice way to show you're interested in someone and be a little romantic. Share that experience. I've done things for valentines day that were nice btu it was always just dinner or something, a nice date. The whole having flowers delivered seems a bit too much to me, i do like the idea of something DIY
I have never celebrated Valentines day. And I think I've pretty much covered why I don't think it's worth celebrating 😛 To summarise, it's putting a single act of love in one day of such high importance when multiple acts of love over a long period of time should be emphasised(I always struggle with that word :P) more.
What are some ways you have celebrated Valentines day in the past? Do you think it's worth celebrating? Why/why not?
I haven't celebrated Valentines day before. I think if you want to celebrate it that's totally cool, but you don't have to and that's cool too. I think the presure sucks though, I'm not sure how you'd get rid of that as a thing in society though 😕
What pressures or expectations do you feel are on you or other young people on this day?
None? No one has said anything about Valentines Day at our school, and I don't remember anything ever happenning on that day actually (except for this one time in grade 5 where this guy bought his 'girfriend' roses and chocolates and it was kind of sweet and kind of funny, but they were like ten so idk if that counts).
Maybe it depends on where you are or the school culture or environment. I'm not sure.
yeah i agree with that @N1ghtW1ng. Do you think theres a way to show your appreciation without having that situation? Like maybe keep it separate to school or big group environemtns?
I dunno.
@Jia That's really interesting, I didn't know about that custom.
@N1ghtW1ng Yeah exclusion doesn't necessarily have to be on purpose, but it's still painful when other people feel loved and cared for and you don't.
Ah I really like your point about how it makes it seem like people are only complete with a significant other @Jia! It's very accurate. We're not half people until we meet a soulmate or something.
