Quote:
Originally Posted by troutman
our culture, and how our idea of romantic love is sometimes an ugly possessive thing. We are taught that we have a "soul-mate", that love is "forever".
Can't we teach our children that love is not jealous? That love affairs end, and it is not the end of the world. That there are "plenty of fish in the sea". Sting also wrote "if you love someone, set them free". That's the better message.
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At risk of derailling this thread:
One thing that has to stop is that motif in films, television, books, et al that 'persistance pays off.' A lot of love stories in movies actually celebrate male protagonists that incesstantly berate and annoy the objects of their affection until the female experiences a moment of capitulation after a grand gesture put on by the male protagonist whereby they end up together forever happily. This gives young males the idea that this kind of behavior is not only tolerated but actually welcomed when in reality it conditions them towards behavior that can turn them into a stalker and/or predator.