Senior English, Period 6
April 8, 2014
Factors in Romantic Relationships Romantic relationships are something that people try to keep personal and to themselves. They try to make the decisions based off what they want. However, no one can escape the many diverse factors that can influence one’s romantic life. There are many aspects of life that can influence one’s romantic relationship with another person. One of the most influential factors in one’s romantic life is also one of the most influential factors in one’s life as a whole. That aspect is parents. For most people, parents are a major part of their lives. Parents play a very large role in dating. One way they can affect the child is through the way and what they communicate with the child. In early developmental years of a child’s life, much of what they learn and discover is through their parents. Parents that communicate with their child in an age appropriate way will be better off in setting up for the child’s future. Dad’s are known for the “Birds and the Bees” talk and the way they approach children can vary severely compared to a mother’s approach. A mother’s approach is often more sensitive and patient with the child. Both approaches can cause a good balance in a child’s life. This is proven due to the tendency for children raised by a single parent to have a slightly different upbringing. In this scenario, there is a great chance of lack of communication.
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This can result in a corrupt dating life for the child. Communication is key in all aspects of life, especially from a child’s parents. Parental example is more often than not the first example a person can experience. When a child develops within a home they begin to notice and take in their parents and the type of marriage they have. John Walz, a man who has been married for 20 years, said:
“I remember a lot of both good and bad traits about their marriage (his parents). My father was not always the most respectful and supportive to my mother. My Mom could be too dependent and smothering towards my Dad. But they loved and cared for each other and would do anything for each other.”
The image that was given off in this scenario seems to be pretty well balanced with good and bad elements. That can be very helpful for a child. This can show them that life is not always easy and is not always great. It also shows that in the end love conquers all. Many images can arise from parental examples. When interviewed, Stacie Walz, the wife of John Walz, said:
“They (her parents) definitely had their ups and downs, but they always made sure my sisters and I knew that they loved us and made sure we had whatever it was that we needed.” This image is more oriented around the fact that children in a marriage come first. Often times a married couple, after having children, truly understand what it means to have something and to take pride in something. Parents share the common possession of a child. That is a truly
Walz 3 unbreakable bond. Images can be interpreted in several different ways and they can be in all forms. However, the truly great images are based and oriented from love and family. If parents can give off an image that contains love and family orientation, not a lot can go wrong. A child’s upbringing is in the hands of several people. Friends, teachers, and coaches are some of the people that affect the upbringing of a person. However, the main contributor and core of one’s upbringing is often the parents of the child. The environment a child grows up it can affect the shaping of his or her character for the rest of their lives. A parent determines how their child will grow up and where. A parent living in poverty and that raises a child in poverty is potentially setting up the child for a corrupt upbringing. A child rose in an environment full of disregard and misfortune will more than likely be suspect to have a flawed romantic life. When asked the question “How do