Why do people have relationships?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the reasons why people engage in relationships, exploring various motivations beyond the traditional aspects of sex, children, and legal commitments. Participants touch on social, emotional, and cultural factors influencing relationships, as well as the nature of different types of relationships.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that relationships are inherently enjoyable and provide companionship.
  • Others propose that fear of loneliness and financial considerations are significant motivators for entering relationships.
  • One participant mentions that humans are social animals, implying a biological predisposition to seek companionship.
  • A few participants discuss the cultural and historical context of marriage, noting that motivations can vary widely across societies.
  • There is a suggestion that not all relationships are healthy, and the discussion raises questions about the prevalence of happy relationships.
  • Some participants clarify that the term "relationship" can encompass various forms, including non-monogamous arrangements and casual interactions.
  • One participant questions the relevance of animal behavior to human relationships, while another argues that understanding social structures in animals can provide insights into human behavior.
  • Concerns are raised about the nature of relationships, with some questioning the societal expectations surrounding traditional monogamous partnerships.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the motivations for relationships, with no clear consensus on what drives individuals to form them. There is acknowledgment of both healthy and unhealthy relationships, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall happiness and healthiness of relationships.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of defining what type of relationship is being discussed, as interpretations can vary significantly. There are also references to cultural practices and historical perspectives that may not directly apply to contemporary discussions.

  • #31
BobG said:
That's a valid point.

A person could get tested once a year at their annual doctor's visit, though. Going years without knowing they have a STD is a sign of an unhealthy lifestyle, or at least a sign they don't pay much attention to their health (although how many younger people without health insurance actually get physicals).

It's not unreasonable to expect a partner to have gotten themselves tested in between relationships, though.

Again, getting tested DOES NOT imply you will know if have an STD. There are STD's that are NOT detectable until you symptoms, and some take years. Some never come.

Yes, their are "tests" for everything, but if you ask a doctor, he will say not all of them are conclusive.

Do you even know anything about STD's to even "jump the gun" and say you have an unhealthy lifestyle if you have one for over a year, or because transmitted it to someone, or received implies unhealthy relationship?

Some STD's are not even originally STD's and can "by accident" become an STD, for example herpes.

You're going pretty far to protect your view, but it fails my friend. It fails. It is shallow.

And once again, unhealthy lifestyle does not imply unhealthy relationship.

Note: Using an iPod demonstrates unhealthy lifestyle in my books.

http://www.herpesresourcecenter.com/mvf.html

You still haven't defended your point using anything valid. According to that link, herpes testing isn't even part of the regular screening. So, are you saying we should get TESTED for everything. So that means even if we show no risks of the long list of infections and disease, even those that are not STD's, we should get tested so that we are considered healthy lifestyle? I doubt you're even doing that. Probably getting the standard tests and that's it. And you seem to have implied unhealthy lifestyle implies unhealthy relationship with another. So that means you're not in a healthy relationship?

You got a full physical? Last time I heard, that doesn't test for schizophrenia and many other things.
 
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  • #32
People have relationships because they enjoy companionship and fear dying alone.
 
  • #33
Chronos said:
People have relationships because they enjoy companionship and fear dying alone.

Or because they enjoy companionship and fear living alone.

The only part of dying alone that scares me is if no one knew I was dead and no one fed my dog. That would be pretty depressing to have your own poor, starving dog eat you so it could survive just a few more days.
 
  • #34
BobG said:
Or because they enjoy companionship and fear living alone.

The only part of dying alone that scares me is if no one knew I was dead and no one fed my dog. That would be pretty depressing to have your own poor, starving dog eat you so it could survive just a few more days.

I think when people say dying alone, what they mean is growing old alone.
 
  • #35
Chronos said:
People have relationships because they enjoy companionship and fear dying alone.
I enjoy companionship, and I wouldn't mind dying alone. In fact, I would prefer to die alone some place where the vultures can clean up the remains, otherwise I'd prefer to set my own pyre.
 
  • #36
Astronuc said:
... I'd prefer to set my own pyre.

Before or after your death?
 
  • #37
BobG said:
Before or after your death?
At the time of.
 
  • #38
Some insight into relationships from a Christmas card that my wife gave me.


We're each better because of each other.

We laugh.
We flirt.
We love.
We make out and make up.
We drive each other crazy - keep each other sane.
We hold each other tight and hold each other together.

I don't know if every relationship is quite so amazing as ours.
I only know how much I love the one we've got.
Thank you for making my life this good, this happy, this full.

So after 28 years, I must be doing something right. :biggrin:
 

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