There was a very interesting article in Time magazine recently by Alain de Botton, author of The Course of Love.
In the article, de Botton talks about how love is shaped by our culture.
“Our loves unfold against a cultural backdrop that creates a powerful sense of what is ‘normal’ in love,” writes de Botton. “It subtly directs us where we should place our emotional emphases; it teaches us what to value, how to approach conflicts, what to get excited about, when to tolerate and what we can be legitimately incensed by. Love has a history, and we ride—sometimes rather helplessly—on its currents.”
I agree.
Having worked on relationships with people in many countries, it is obvious that how we perceive love and relationships plays a big role in how we live them. And this comes back to how we were raised, at least partially. (Helping others to examine their cultural understandings of love is part of what we do as coaches here at Kowalke Coaching, actually).
The article goes on to ask the question, though: Has the Romanticism of the 1700s effectively hurt our relationships because it encourages us to view love and relationship unrealistically? Are we carrying cultural baggage from this bygone era?
It is a thought-provoking article, and it kicks off our Relationship Advice Roundup this week.
Okay, you’ve read the relationship advice this week. Now are you ready to live it? If so, contact us at Kowalke Coaching. We’re ready to help you get there! Schedule a free coaching session.
Peter is founder of Kowalke Coaching. He also is founding director of the Philia Mission, a small charitable organization. Contact Peter.
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