Throughout history marriage was often the love relationship for stability children and practicality while romantic love was for sex excitement and romance

Throughout History, Marriage for Stability and Romantic Love for Excitement: A Closer Look

In the realm of human relationships, love has always played a fundamental role. However, the nature of love and its associated expectations has evolved over time. Throughout history, marriage has often been regarded as the love relationship that primarily provided stability, children, and practicality, while romantic love was primarily associated with sex, excitement, and romance. These two distinct aspects of love have been intertwined, yet kept separate, shaping and reflecting societal norms and mores.

Marriage has traditionally been viewed as a social institution primarily organized around practical arrangements such as economic stability, social status, and political alliances. People entered into marriage to secure their livelihood, fulfill societal expectations, and ensure continuity through the creation of legitimate heirs. Love, as we understand it today, was not considered essential for a prosperous marriage. The emphasis was on fulfilling societal obligations rather than individual desires.

Romantic love, on the other hand, existed outside the confines of marriage. It was associated with passionate desire, lust, and emotional connection. Romantic love provided a space for individuals to freely express their emotions and to seek pleasure and excitement in relationships that were not bound by societal rules and responsibilities. People sought love affairs and clandestine relationships to experience the intensity and passion that married life may not necessarily offer.

Throughout history, the separation between marriage and romantic love allowed individuals to fulfill their practical and emotional needs separately. It granted them the freedom to seek stability and companionship within the framework of marriage, while simultaneously indulging in the heady intoxication of romantic love. The existence of these parallel love relationships allowed individuals to maintain a semblance of social order while satisfying their personal desires.

Over time, the boundaries between marriage and romantic love have gradually blurred. The modern concept of love as a central tenet of marriage emerged during the Romantic period in the late 18th century. Romanticism challenged the prevailing social norms and placed a renewed emphasis on individual emotions, desires, and personal fulfillment. Love became an essential component of marital relationships, and expectations for emotional connection and passionate love within marriage increased.

Today, we witness a shift towards the integration of stability, children, practicality, and romantic love within the institution of marriage. While it is still recognized as a source of stability and the foundation for raising children, the importance of emotional connection, support, and shared values has become paramount. The idealized notion of love, once primarily associated with excitement and passion, now merges with the concept of stable and enduring relationships.

In conclusion, throughout history, marriage and romantic love have occupied distinct but overlapping spheres. Marriage was often seen as the love relationship for stability, children, and practicality, while romantic love was reserved for sex, excitement, and romance. However, as societal norms and expectations evolve, the boundaries between these two aspects of love continue to transform, emphasizing the integration of stability, emotional connection, and passion within the institution of marriage.

Source: The School of Life