Love: a set of emotions and behaviors characterized by intimacy, passion and commitment. It involves care, closeness, protectiveness, attraction, affection and trust, according to Verywell Mind.
Everyone has heard the story—when two people love each other very much—but what does the word “love” truly mean? To some, it may be having a deeply-rooted and trusting bond. To others, it may be excitement, and adventures full of lust and intimacy. It seems so simple, yet this four letter word can tear people apart.
The emotion of love is expressed differently in all kinds of people. Typically, men will feel love through physical affection, quality time together and words of affirmation, according to the Art of Charm. Men are generally more euphoric when in love, and become more hyper active when talking to someone they love. Similarly, women will produce norepinephrine and phenylethylamine, which are stimulants in the brain that create focus and a euphoric feeling.
According to BetterHelp, a survey of 170 college students found that men are more likely to say “I love you” within weeks of a new relationship. This is because men are overwhelmed with this euphoria in their brain, and saying the words I love you helps them solidify their feelings for someone.
Junior Ava Luu of Cream Ridge said, “Through generations we’ve changed the way we date, and how people communicate with each other and the way people express their love for each other.”
For Generation Z, dating has taken a new form, rather than the standard going up and talking to someone. According to Tinder, about 75% of Generation Z feel like they are challenging dating and relationship standards that were passed down to them from generations before.
Teenagers, specifically high school students, often begin relationships through social media applications such as Snapchat, as opposed to in- person conversation.
“Through generations we’ve changed the way we date, and really how people communicate with each other and the way people express their love for each other.”
Common conversation starters over Snapchat like “wyll” are not only surface level, but also distract from face-to-face communication, according to Bloom Tampa Medical.
Teenagers being brought up in a society where relationships begin through screens causes a lack of emotional maturity, according to Embark Behavioral Health.
Nevertheless, Luu believes it is important for teenagers to experience dating.
“I think that teenage love is your time to experiment to determine what you want and how you work well with other people,” Luu said.
