The Review of Related Literature
The review of related literature for this study focuses on college romantic relationships of college students. An article written by Allan Reifman discusses about a book that talks about the transition of college relationships way back before 1920’s and from 1920’s onwards. Prior to 1920’s, it was common that the gentleman would ask the lady’s parents for their permission if they would allow him to court her. The gentleman would also ask for their consent if he could take her out on a date. It was also common then that before two people get into a relationship, they would get to know each other first. Couples back then often know each other already or they come from the same school/college before they get into a romantic relationship. Up until around 1920’s, "calling" was the dominant mode of young people establishing romantic relationships. A man would seek to "call upon" a woman in her home, with her mother's permission, and with the family at home during the visit. A variety of factors, such as the increasing availability of the automobile to facilitate two people going out by themselves, then made "dating" the primary form of seeking romance and relationships from the 1920s through the 1960s. “Hooking-up” also became popular especially for college students. Essentially, then, a system has been evolving for roughly the last 40 years, in which unattached college students would begin their weekend evenings going out with a group of buddies to a larger group activity. Within the larger events, people would get to chatting and pairing off for hook-ups would occur. Hooking-up can refer to anything from kissing to sexual intercourse, or something in between, and is often left unclear or uncertain in students' descriptions. There really is a vast divergence from way back at 1920’s and from 1920’s up to our generation now. This study was done by Katherine Bogle, sociologist of LaSalle University in America.
Another article was written by a counselor in Carroll College that discusses about the healthiness of a student’s relationship. Many students enter into a romantic relationship during college. The beginning of the relationship is often exciting and easy. As time goes on, a healthy relationship requires good communication and cooperation between partners. The quality of our relationships affects our lives in many ways, including our self-esteem, our ability to handle stress, and our academic and work-related productivity. It may be simple in the beginning, but as time goes by, you’ll discover how it will affect in a lot of areas in your life. The article also talks about how depression can be a part of a relationship. When you’re struggling with an illness that makes you tired, sad, and generally uninterested in life, often the last thing you are able to do is deal with the needs of others. Equally frustrating and emotionally draining is trying to maintain a relationship with someone who’s depressed. It’s hurtful and confusing when a boyfriend or girlfriend increasingly isolates himself or herself, pulls away, and rejects others’ efforts to help. Each year, depression affects an estimated 19 million Americans and countless numbers of other people in their lives. It can test even the most secure of relationships.
Science of Relationships also has something to say about college romantic relationships. College is all about new experiences: the start of a new life, new friends, new freedom, and new relationship experiences. Not surprisingly, romantic relationships are responsible for life’s happiest moments. For that reason, it is important to avoid problematic relationships that could put in danger your college education. To help, they will identify qualities of healthy relationships in the background of common relationship experiences that students encounter during their first year in college. One is building a healthy relationship. Everyone wants to have a great relationship. To accomplish this goal you should build your relationship around a solid friendship founded on trust, closeness, honesty, and a sense of honesty. Good communication is needed and is very important especially when discussing on problems and important issues. Many people mistakenly believe that disagreements are destructive in relationships. However, you should be secure enough in your relationship to discuss the small issues that certainly happen so that they don’t turn into major drama. Most importantly, avoid negative forms of communication like criticizing partners, being overly defensive, refusing to talk or shutting them out, or having a lack of respect or contempt. The research shows that relationships with this type of communication are certain to end. In the end, healthy relationships and good communication both rely on mutual respect and caring. Demonstrate these qualities to your partner by clearly and calmly discussing problems, stating how you feel without blaming or attacking, and taking the time to truly listen to your partner’s point of view. Another one is staying in a bad relationship. Obviously no one wants to be in a bad relationship, so why would anyone get stuck in one? First is that people may stay because their expectations are too low or they think that they can’t do any better than the present partner. Another one is we tend to prefer people who strengthen our self-views. If you have a negative self-view, you’ll tend to seek out others who also see you that way. To make matters worse, a partner who views you negatively isn’t likely to treat you well, which may lower your relationship expectations and self-esteem even more. It is also important to avoid losing your own sense of identity by becoming too close to a romantic partner. To help recognize if you are in a bad relationship, you should turn to close others like your roommates, friends and parents who, research shows, are better judges of your relationship than you. If people close to you suggest that you should get out of a relationship, it may be wise to seriously consider their advice. In conclusion, a healthy relationship will help make you a happier and better person without requiring you to abandon your friendships or educational goals. Learning these basics of healthy relationships will come in handy during your first year of college, and will also benefit your future relationships in a way that will lead you to experience a happier and more pleasing life.