Commitment is a necessity in any functioning, long-term relationship – or, indeed, any society. Throughout the years, couples have come up with a number of ways of demonstrating a commitment to one another. The most effective of these have endured in the form of traditional marriage, wedding vows, and stable, monogamous relationships.
But of course, the emergence of all of these things has required a little bit of experimentation. And in the modern age, couples are signalling commitment in an unprecedented range of ways – and even developing new kinds of commitment. Let’s take a look at a few of the more interesting ones.
Embracing Non-Traditional Relationship Structures
While the overwhelming majority of relationships might be monogamous, a minority are experimenting with different models. Polyamory is the practice of having many different partners at the same time, while ‘Tolyamory’ is a term given to an arrangement in which one partner turns a blind eye toward the indiscretions of the other.
Then there’s the ‘Open Relationship’, in which each party is free to cheat – which, in effect, makes cheating impossible. These aren’t as niche as they might seem. A quarter of Americans report that they’d be interested in having one.
The emergence of all of these new ways of doing things, and the willingness to come up with elaborate, Greek-derived terms for them, signals a desire to break free from the confines of monogamy. Some, reportedly, do this with success.
Redefining Symbols of Commitment
Of course, you don’t need to redefine what it means to be committed to someone. It’s also possible to adjust the symbols involved in commitment, until they fit with your needs.
A good example comes in the form of wedding and engagement rings. Couples now have an unprecedented range of options to choose from, ranging from classic solitaire engagement rings to more contemporary options, like the asymmetrical ‘Toi et Moi’ design.
If you’re looking for something that resonates with your sensibilities, in other words, it’s worth shopping around.
The Role of Technology in Modern Relationships
The way we seek potential partners has been fundamentally altered by the arrival of dating apps and social medial in general. This change hasn’t always been for the better, with many increasingly willing to pull the slot-machine lever in search of a perfect ‘sole mate’ pairing.
On the other hand, there have been definite benefits to digital communication. WhatsApp messaging has made it possible to sort out practical questions, like that of who will perform a certain household chore, or who will pick the children up from nursery.
The Impact of Societal Shifts on Relationship Dynamics
The most important societal change as far as relationships go has been the empowerment of women, and the expansion of their role in the workforce. This has led to couples spreading the domestic workload in a more egalitarian way, with duties being split up according to who is best positioned to perform them, rather than who belongs to what gender. A few generations ago, a man doing the ironing would have been unthinkable; now, it’s unremarkable!
