Apparently to the new generation, Valentine’s day is loosing the hype that it use to have for Vancouverites much like the Olympics in Socchi which forces people to get up at unruly times like 6am on a Saturday to catch the action.
When I was a child, receiving a Valentines from someone at school gave me a sense of reassurance that you’re somehow remembered or wanted. In my mid twenties, I was totally into watching cheesy romantic movies on Valentines Day with my girlfriends and share stories of past romances. In my thirties, the notion of romancing my partner on a set day seems somehow forced or contrived.
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According to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association, people spend approximately $13.19 billion on Valentine’s Day (candy being the top seller with flowers as a close second). Are we truly celebrating Valentine’s Day genuinely or are we falling into an obligatory pattern of feeling like a crappy lover unless we shower our partner with gifts?
It seems like relationships have been undergoing some major changes. People are having children later, rethinking marriage and even dating has become much more accessible thanks to online dating. Elite Daily which prides itself as being the voice of generation Y, released several articles challenging the notion of Valentine’s Day and how people are slowly backing out of the tradition and finding comfort in being single for this occasion.
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There may also be another reason that men are less likely to push back on Valentine’s Day traditions and it’s linked to sex. A high number of men report their expectation of sex after romancing their partner on a day dedicated to celebrating love and romance. In case you’re wondering about the average number children that are conceived on Valentine’s Day in a year, it’s 11,000.
Whether Valentines Day is propaganda fueled by consumerism, a mechanism to elicit sex or a genuine gesture of appreciation for your partner, the hype is appearing to lose its momentum with younger generations.
Amy Yew is a registered clinical counselor and relationship therapist. Tell us what you think and submit any questions you have to amyvancouvercourier@gmail.com. You can also tweet your thoughts on Twitter @AmyYew.
