Despite being in a happy relationship, Hector Roddan thinks that society is too obsessed with pairing up
On the 5th of February 2013, the government passed the Marriage (Same Sex) Couples Act. This act will allow same-sex couples the same civil marriage rights as heterosexual couples. Well, in theory. Barring the Church of England, (the national church) and any priest or clergyman who gets their knickers in a twist about Adam and Steve. Certainly this is a massive step towards full equality for gay people and for that must be applauded. But it does leave me wondering if our society is too hung up on pairing up.
Ever since we were told the tale of NoahÔÇÖs Ark, our society reinforces the notion that humans, like NoahÔÇÖs llamas, should come in two-by-two. Every nursery rhyme and fairy tale tells us that boys should be strong and fight dragons to win the hearts of fair princesses in gilded towers with pumpkin slippers. OK, IÔÇÖm getting my tales in a tangle but you get the idea.
[pullquote]Ever since we were told the tale of NoahÔÇÖs Ark, our society reinforces the notion that humans, like NoahÔÇÖs llamas, should come in two-by-two.[/pullquote]
As we grow up, the pressure gets even worse. Who hasnÔÇÖt been at a friendÔÇÖs for dinner, or on a night out, and felt that terrible third- wheel sensation rolling in when you realise that everyone else has hooked up (either with Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now) and you are left all alone in the world? Unfortunately, the longer people are in a relationship, the worse the sense of smug superiority gets.
For example, I was recently told by a straight-and-married friend how wonderful it was that IÔÇÖd found someone at last. Nine months into any relationship, that seems a bit presumptuous to be honest. Secondly, IÔÇÖm twenty- five and donÔÇÖt think having another human being who is willing to share my life (Doctor Who obsession included) and sex life (Doctor Who obsession not included) with me makes me any more complete or happy as an individual.
There will doubtless be people reading this who believe I must be some sort of bitter, twisted incomplete human being without a soul, but hear me out. Certainly, I am not for a moment saying I dislike sharing my life with my boyfriend. What I am saying is that barring random quirks of fate and other serious accidents, I believe everyone has the capacity to be genuinely happy with and as themselves. There are many great things you can do at this most loved-up time of year without a significant other.
It simply does not enter my head that just not having a partner/ significant other makes you somehow incomplete as a person. To my mind, this view misses the massive diversity of emotional and sexual lifestyles that we, as human beings, have come up with. It also fundamentally limits your own aspirations and happiness if you are constantly convinced that you can only be happy when Monsieur or Madame Right waltzes into your life with an armful of roses and one of CupidÔÇÖs arrows between their teeth, ready to take you away to mythical place known as True Love.
So, this ValentineÔÇÖs Day, whether you are with good lovers or good friends or neither, remember this: at the end of the day, the person who has the most control over how happy you are is you.