Every Brewe (286)

Many people might express their beliefs that social media has, undoubtedly, killed romance. Making this argument, however, implies that romance is altogether dead. I argue that romance is still alive and well, though struggling in our generation. There’s still handholding in the halls, promposals on the front lawn, and even PDA before class (whether we like it or not). Everyone is still capable of love and romance, in our own ways.

In the past few years, the world has faced a sweeping transformation. Amongst Generation Z, a trend of “nonchalance” has emerged and it has taken over all interactions. Instead of focusing on genuine connection, we mask our emotions to look cool. Being nonchalant overrides the interesting, emotional beings we are and replaces them with people that are arguably boring to talk to. In a poll of thirty Central students, seventy-five percent said that they feel they’ve tried to be nonchalant in a romantic situation. Seeming like you don’t care in front of the person you like is an emotional safeguard; if you don’t show your feelings, you can’t get hurt.

Now, the dating culture among young people has evolved into Snapchat quick-add, “wyll” (What You Look Like?), not double texting, and leaving people on read because it will definitely make them want you more. Your TikTok For You Page floods with “three signs he wants you” or “how to beat school air to get your huzz.” We see social media as a way to get to know one another. We say we’re “talking to a guy” when all we’re doing is sending pictures of our face back and forth and freaking out when it doesn’t look good. The whole thing is dumb.

While all of this makes it seem like romance is dead, and it certainly doesn’t inspire hope, it simply signifies a change of romance. Never, in all of history, has the romance of young people been perfect. Take Romeo and Juliet, for example: They both died because they didn’t have a conversation. Nobody is the most mature person that they will ever be when they’re sixteen, and this applies to life outside of romance as well. Friendships can be awkward, and chatting with your older cousin can be awkward too. Romance isn’t dead; it’s just awkward for people whose brains aren’t fully developed. This isn’t a new concept, but social media has amplified it. It allows trends to circulate, but also opens everything you do up to criticism.

We can compare romance now to old movies, the kind of love where someone throws pebbles at your window or tells your whole family never to put you in a corner. The truth is, though, those are extreme examples of romance back then. When we ask the question “why can’t we just go back to how love used to be?” the answer is that love was never like that. There are romance movies now that would never happen either. Everyone wants something like The Summer I Turned Pretty until you realize that’s a crazy situation to want. 

Overall, expectations placed on young people via social media are harmful to their experiences as humans. While it has changed the way that we interact, it doesn’t mean it has killed romance entirely.