Social structure has had an effect on how romantic love has been viewed since the beginning of humanity. How we live our lives, according to who we are in the social strata, shapes our views on love and romance, as do the factors of race, gender, and the expectations of those we live among. Romantic love has played an integral role in our history, from the myths of legend to the sexual revolution. It has been shaped and molded through time, through interactions, and conversely, society has influenced how we view love through the lenses of self and social influence. So how does social structure effect romantic love? To answer that question we must analyze the influences of the male power …show more content…
In order for love to exist among the paternalistic forces that shape our world, we must develop a sense of justice, develop equality, and bonds of trust. I agree with this statement, "There can be no love without justice. Until we live in a culture that not only respects but also upholds basic civil rights for children, most children will not know love.”, (hooks) without justice, love cannot be realized. In order to establish ourselves in loving relationships as adults, we must establish the roots of justice in ourselves as children, to provide a stable platform on which we can build. Modern love is ever changing, but has its roots in history,"The development of romantic love in Europe closely parallels some of the more dramatic changes in the conception of Christianity, for example the rising attention to the Virgin Mary in the twelfth century, at just the time when the status of women began to improve enormously, making courtly love - a precursor of romantic love - possible." (p. 51) For love to be established firmly, it's roots must be watered with equality between partners, modern love is driven by the cultural revolutions that we have experienced. The more equality gained between the sexes, the more agency is gained, which allows for choices to be made on who to love, when to love, how to love, and what is expected of …show more content…
In effect, love is a lifelong activity, something built upon, not just felt as a series of fleeting emotions, and at times a portion of one's self must be hidden away, if the bond of trust are absent. "I heard cynicism instead of hope in the voices of young and old. Cynicism is the greatest barrier to love.” (Hooks,219) To overcome the cynicism requires a great leap of faith, we live in a time of multimedia, internet, chat rooms, social media and speed dating. Many find it difficult in this consumer driven society, to dedicate the time and energy necessary to overcome cynical impulses and cultivate the trust and honesty and affection, necessary to provide ourselves with long term satisfaction with our