Besides the fact that we are always looking for love and affection, there are other things that are important in a relationship, especially an early relationship. At least, that’s what some studies show. Research from the Netherlands, France and Great Britain shows that we are actually still looking for the same things in a relationship. A remarkable outcome, according to the researchers, because of the changed economic situation.
Research
The research was carried out simultaneously at various higher educational institutions among young men and women in different walks of life and that alone is noteworthy. The age ranges from 19 to 32 years. However, the basis for 93% of couples remains love and affection and that alone is perhaps a remarkable outcome.
Love
Fortunately, love is still going strong. The feeling of love, someone in love with you and someone you are in love with. Express the feeling on both sides in the form that suits you and that is quite diverse, ranging from:
- doing fun things together
- surprise or be surprised by your loved one
- make a journey of discovery together (in whatever or wherever)
- the little touch back and forth
The latter was particularly considered important by the group of men and women over 25 years of age.
Why?
The connection that accompanies the feeling of being in love is reported by 85% as being pleasant about the feeling of being in love.
The pure feeling that the body reflects represents 90% of the pleasant feeling. Love, which goes a step further than being in love, is what 92% describe as the pleasant feeling. The latter was particularly considered important by the group of men and women over 25 years of age.
It is also stated that slightly more women than men are concrete in expressing their feelings.
Idealize
Yet the percentage that idealizes falling in love also appears to be large. That is actually contrary to the large group of people who attach great importance to falling in love. But the feeling is relatively short-lived and that makes us idealize it. At least that is the opinion of 84% of the people interviewed. The percentage of women is slightly higher than men, but it is remarkable that there is broad agreement.
In addition to the realistic picture of this pleasant feeling over a short period of time , the time in which the people were interviewed and the results is noteworthy. Normally, at a time when the economy is not doing so well, cocooning, and that includes the feeling of being in love, is many times greater. The security compensates for the loss of control in society.
Giving or receiving?
The vast majority of those interviewed indicate that giving has more meaning than receiving. The percentage rises to 93% for women and 89% for men. But one really goes for giving in the longer term and receiving then follows automatically. This percentage remains around 95% for both men and women.
Finally
It is an old fact but still relevant and a side note that the researchers have made is that the same research took place in the late 1980s in the Netherlands and Great Britain, with almost the same results. Remarkable because the late 1980s was a very different period with a very different economic situation.
Footnote has been added about the different countries. The differences are too small to be reported separately. The researchers also report that a large group of men and women have difficulty speaking out about the aforementioned items.