Men, it’s the season of love, the season where we give a rose and chocolate candy to the girl or boy we love the most.
But there is a question almost every man has asked himself, “Are we really in a relationship? How do I know? What are the social rules for being in a relationship?” Well just calm down, through my personal experience and thew words of other students, you can learn what determines your relationship with someone and the social rules surrounding it.
Some people believe that relationships are determined by respect, working together and setting boundaries. For example, William Cook here at Stafford High says he determines his relationship with someone by, “Doing things for each other, because you’re partners, you work together. It’s a two way street.” Cook then added “Social rules for being in a relationship are about respect and setting and respecting each other’s boundaries.” Cook believes that to determine your relationship with somebody you have to work together and respect each other because you are partners.
Similarly to William, Dean of students at Stafford HIgh, Daniel Reschke believes that, “Trust and respect or else you won’t be more open with each other.” He adds, “For social rules, the main one, important one is that you need mutual consent with each other. So if you want to hang out you need consent with the other person to hang out with each other.”
However, not all people believe that relationships are determined by respect and boundaries but by physical contact, name calling or paying attention. “Physical contact and you need to be observant. If they need X, then give them X, just remember stuff and tell her she is passionate about things she loves.” Said junior, Caleb Drum.
Cody Beagle, another Stafford High School student, also believes that a relationship is defined by physical and verbal contact, “I believe a relationship is determined when the girl is talking to you and calling you and hugging and kissing you and stuff.”
However, there are some that are more crass and blunt in their description. Michael Lampman, a Stafford High School junior quickly exlaimed, “It’s determined when you feel it in your (expletive removed)” Lampman believes in physical content as the main qualification of relationship status.
In truth a relationship with somebody you love is through action, trust, respect, and mutual, physical affection. It is a two-sided journey of trust, meant to bring joy to both parties involved.
