Latest news with #romanticrelationships
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
What Younger Generations Refuse To Compromise On In Relationships Anymore
In an era where swiping right has become a cultural norm, younger generations are drawing hard lines in the sand regarding what they will and will not compromise on in romantic relationships. This isn't a whimsical pursuit of the perfect partner, but a deliberate and discerning approach to love. While previous generations may have prioritized stability and tradition, today's youth is driven by authenticity, equality, and meaningful connections. Here are the 13 things younger generations refuse to sacrifice in their romantic pursuits. Gone are the days when emotional stoicism was seen as a strength. Today, emotional intelligence is a non-negotiable trait in romantic partners, valued for its ability to foster genuine connection and empathy. A partner who can read between the lines and respond with sensitivity is seen as a keeper. According to psychologist Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, emotional intelligence can significantly improve relationship satisfaction, making it a critical factor for many young individuals. Younger generations are no longer willing to settle for partners who lack introspection or emotional depth. They understand that relationships require vulnerability and open communication. It's not just about understanding one's own emotions; it's about recognizing and valuing the emotional landscapes of others. This intelligence is seen as a cornerstone for building a fulfilling and enduring partnership. For younger generations, gender roles are not just outdated; they're irrelevant. Many young couples today prioritize an equitable division of labor, both in and outside the home. They understand that a successful partnership thrives on mutual respect and shared responsibilities. The days of expecting a partner to fit into a predefined societal role are long gone. This shift is not just about household chores; it extends to financial contributions and emotional labor. Both partners are expected to show up equally in all aspects of life. This balance not only fosters a more harmonious home life but also ensures that neither partner feels overburdened. It's a new frontier in relationship dynamics, and for young lovers, it's nonnegotiable. While love often brings couples together, younger generations fiercely protect their personal space and independence. This isn't about keeping a partner at arm's length; it's about maintaining a sense of self. According to a study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, autonomy within a relationship leads to greater satisfaction and less conflict. Young individuals are increasingly aware that a healthy relationship thrives when both partners have room to grow individually. Independence is cherished not out of selfishness but as a means to nurture the relationship. It's about pursuing individual passions, hobbies, and friendships that contribute to a well-rounded life. By maintaining their own identities, both partners can bring fresh perspectives and energy into the relationship. This balance of closeness and independence is viewed as essential for long-term happiness. Communication has always been the bedrock of any relationship, but younger generations have elevated it to an art form. They value transparency and the ability to express thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. This openness fosters trust and allows for the resolution of conflicts in constructive ways. There is little patience for those who shy away from difficult conversations. The emphasis is on creating a safe space where each partner feels heard and understood. Avoiding passive-aggressive tendencies and mind games is crucial. Instead, the focus is on articulating needs and desires clearly and respectfully. This approach not only strengthens the bond between partners but also builds a foundation for resilience in the face of challenges. In an increasingly complex world, younger generations know the importance of aligning on core values and beliefs with their partners. This doesn't mean having identical views on everything, but rather a fundamental compatibility on issues that matter. Sociologist Dr. Terri Orbuch emphasizes that shared values are a key predictor of relationship longevity. It's about ensuring that both partners are moving in the same direction in life. Respect for differing opinions is crucial, but there must be a shared vision for the future. Whether it's views on family, career ambitions, or social issues, these are the topics young couples discuss early on. This alignment prevents conflicts down the line and ensures that both partners can support each other's life goals. It's a strategic approach to building a relationship that lasts. A growing awareness of mental health has led younger generations to prioritize self-care, both individually and in their relationships. They understand that a healthy mind is the foundation of a healthy relationship. Partners who support each other's mental health journeys and respect self-care routines are highly valued. It's about understanding that mental well-being is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. Younger couples also emphasize the importance of recognizing and addressing mental health issues early on. They aren't afraid to talk about therapy, medication, or coping strategies. This open dialogue not only normalizes mental health discussions but also strengthens their bond. Supporting each other's mental wellness is seen as an act of love and commitment. Adventure is no longer just for the thrill-seekers; it's a staple of modern relationships. Younger generations place a high value on shared experiences, seeing them as a way to build memories and strengthen bonds. Whether it's traveling to new destinations or trying out a new hobby together, these activities enrich their connection. According to travel expert Dr. Sarah Bennett, couples who explore the world together report higher levels of relationship satisfaction. These shared adventures aren't just about ticking items off a bucket list. They're about discovering new facets of each other and creating a narrative that is uniquely theirs. By stepping out of their comfort zones together, couples develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for one another. It's the excitement of the unknown that keeps the relationship vibrant and engaging. Money matters have long been a source of tension in relationships, but younger generations are tackling it head-on. They prioritize financial transparency and view it as essential to building trust. Open discussions about earnings, spending habits, and financial goals are encouraged. By aligning on financial expectations early, they avoid misunderstandings and stress in the future. This approach extends to financial planning as well. Younger couples are keen on setting joint financial goals and working towards them together. Whether it's saving for a house, planning a vacation, or investing for the future, these decisions are made collaboratively. This financial partnership is seen as a practical step towards a stable and harmonious life together. In a digital age, striking a balance between online and offline connections is crucial. Younger generations are acutely aware of the impact of technology on relationships. They value partners who can put down their devices and be present in the moment. This doesn't mean abandoning digital communication but rather using it to enhance, not replace, real-life interactions. Face-to-face time is cherished as an opportunity to deepen intimacy and understanding. Meanwhile, digital tools are used to maintain a connection when apart. The key is ensuring that technology facilitates rather than detracts from the relationship. This balanced approach allows couples to enjoy the convenience of digital communication while nurturing their bond through shared experiences. Younger generations no longer see career and relationships as mutually exclusive. They prioritize partners who support their professional aspirations and understand the importance of personal growth. This support is not just about encouragement but also involves practical help, like sharing responsibilities to allow each other time to achieve goals. It's a partnership where both individuals can thrive. Career support extends to celebrating achievements and being a cheerleader during setbacks. Younger couples value partners who are genuinely interested in their work and are willing to invest time in understanding it. This mutual support creates a dynamic where both partners feel valued and empowered. It's about growing together while respecting each other's individual paths. A keen sense of social and environmental responsibility is increasingly important in modern relationships. Younger generations are drawn to partners who care about the planet and social justice. They see these values as reflections of character and integrity. Whether it's reducing carbon footprint, supporting sustainable brands, or advocating for social causes, these actions speak volumes. These shared values create a bond that extends beyond the personal realm to a larger global perspective. Young couples are often engaged in activism and philanthropy together, finding common ground in making a difference. This shared commitment to the greater good reinforces their connection and sense of purpose. It's about being partners, not just in life but in creating a better world. Flexibility and adaptability are traits highly prized by younger generations. In a rapidly changing world, they value partners who can roll with the punches and adapt to new circumstances. This resilience is seen as vital for weathering the ups and downs of life together. Rigid and inflexible attitudes are seen as deal-breakers. Adaptability also means being open to change within the relationship itself. Younger couples understand that relationships evolve and require adjustments. They prioritize partners who are willing to grow and change with them. This flexibility ensures that the relationship remains vibrant and responsive to both individual and shared needs. Finally, authenticity has become the gold standard for younger generations in relationships. They prioritize partners who are genuine and true to themselves over those who project an image of perfection. This authenticity fosters deeper, more meaningful connections and reduces the pressure to conform to unrealistic standards. It's about being real and vulnerable, flaws and all. Perfection is not only unattainable but uninteresting. Authentic partners are valued for their honesty and transparency. Younger generations see the beauty in imperfection and celebrate individuality. This approach creates a space where both partners can be their true selves, leading to a more fulfilling and lasting relationship.
Wall Street Journal
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
I Wrote a Novel About a Woman Building an AI Lover. Here's What I Learned.
Five years ago, when I began writing a novel about a woman who designs an AI lover, the idea seemed pretty far-fetched. Now, artificial-intelligence companions are sophisticated and common enough that people are wondering if they might start to replace human romantic relationships. I thought a lot about this as I wrote my book—inhabiting my character, living and breathing her life. In doing so, I came to realize that a relationship with an AI can never be satisfying. Not truly.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Miley Cyrus' mom Tish reveals how she feels about her relationship with boyfriend Maxx Morando
' mother Tish Cyrus is giving her no-holds-barred thoughts on her daughters' romantic lives. On the latest episode of her Sorry We're Cyrus podcast, the 58-year-old matriarch shared her honest opinion about Miley's, 32, Noah's, 25, and Brandi's, 38, partners. Chatting with guest Harry Jowsey, she divulged, 'All my girls are in such super-healthy, amazing relationships.' The proud mom, who is married to Australian actor Dominic Purcell, gushed, 'I love love and I think that they have been much more cautious in love than I was, and taken longer to make sure it's the right person.' Miley is dating Maxx Morando, while Noah is engaged to fashion designer Pinkus, and Brandi is coupled up with Matt Southcombe. Tish said her female children have made sure 'there are no red flags' when it comes to who they've settled down with. In April Noah appeared on Sorry We're Cyrus, which her mom co-hosts with her older sister Brandi, and gushed, 'My fiancé and my mom are really close.' She elaborated, 'I love that so much because [with] my past boyfriends, my mom has not been close with [them].' The singer clarified, 'Well, my first one you tried to be [close with] and then the rest were just, like, [a] plane crash. We got through it, and now I'm with a nice, little German man.' Tish split from her Billy Ray Cyrus in 2022 after 28 years of marriage, and their divorce was finalized in 2023. She married Prison Break star Dominic in August of the same year. Meanwhile, Billy Ray, 63, debuted his shock romance with Elizabeth Hurley, 59, in April. It came after the end of his short-lived marriage to 36-year-old singer Firerose, which was settled in August 2024. Billy Ray praised his ex-wife Tish via social media on Mother's Day this year. In recognition of the holiday, the country crooner — who shares five kids with Tish — posted a solemn statement on Instagram that centered around family. In addition to Miley, Noah, and Brandi, the exes are parents to Braison, 31, and Trace, 36 — who slammed the patriarch as 'evil' earlier this week. 'Happy Mother's Day to all the #StrongMothers out there. Here's a couple that made our family who and what we are,' he began. Speaking highly of his ex, he said, 'Tish Cyrus was and is the very definition of a strong mother,' adding, 'Trust me, I'm the first to admit... being married to me was not easy.' The Achy Breaky Heart singer continued, 'I'm very good at making mistakes. A very imperfect man. But thank goodness... somewhere along the line my Mama also taught me "life is a series of adjustments."' He also named Miley in the lengthy message, writing, 'I'm so proud of Miley and her guts and her courage... her wisdom and strength to bring it when our family needed it most.' Billy went on to share, 'We are so close to a full healing. We have all been through a lot.'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
People Are Sharing The Red Flags That We Still Seem To Romanticize For Some Reason, And Yeah, Maybe We Should Stop That
We all have a short list of characteristics we find sweet and swoonworthy, but what about the ones that give us all the ick? Sometimes, they can be mistaken for good things when they're actually the complete opposite. Reddit user Affectionate_Sand190 recently asked, "What's a red flag that people still weirdly romanticize?" Here's what people had to say: 1."Having someone who is completely obsessed with you." —u/Civil-Shame-2399 2."Fixing someone. You're not their therapist, babe." —u/TinyAndPetite- 3."Fighting all the time. No, it doesn't mean that your relationship is 'passionate,' it means that you're probably incompatible and shouldn't be together." —u/Select_Beginning_656 4."I used to love the 'asshole to everyone except you' trope until he started being an asshole to my friends. Rose-colored glasses when you realize that he's just an asshole — plain and simple. Some tropes are meant to stay fictional." —u/Goldenwolf_ 5."Hustle culture." —u/chefboyarde30 Related: 27 Horrifying Deaths People Can Never, Ever, Ever, Ever Forget Because They Were That Bad 6."When someone constantly posts about their partner and people call it 'romantic.' It's not. It's performative. Real love doesn't need a PR campaign." —u/South_Cupcake2315 7."Jealousy. Being jealous doesn't mean you love me so much; it means you don't trust me." —u/SmittenKitten0303 8."Codependence and complete obsession. People need lives outside of their partners." —u/muttgrowls 9."The idea that playing games or being hard to get will make their crush interested or want them more." —u/CosmicMind007 Related: My Innocence Has Been Destroyed After Learning These Terrible, Disturbing, And Creepy Things 10."Not being confrontational. Needless confrontation is bad, but sometimes you do need to confront someone." —u/Open_Today_6267 11."Pressuring someone to hurry up and put a ring on it." —u/Dark--princess420 12."Entirely subsuming your life into your partner's. It's healthy to have a portion of your life to yourself. Couples don't need to and shouldn't spend every waking moment together." —u/el_cid_viscoso 13."The ideology that being controlling or possessive over your partner means you love them." —u/Possible-Produce-373 14."Love bombing." —u/Kaapstad2018 15."When someone says that they want a relationship like Harley Quinn and the Joker. Do they actually know the nature of their relationship?" —u/Alixxet 16."Sacrificing your professional or personal life to pursue someone." —u/lamchopxl71 17."Having an affair. They seem so fun and passionate in movies." —u/Ninac4116 18."Not taking no for an answer." —u/Abject-Raspberry5875 19."Leaving a relationship for you. Any reasonable person should see that the same thing might happen to you." —u/Kooky-Maintenance513 What's a red flag that people need to stop romanticizing? Share your thoughts in the comments! Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity. Also in Internet Finds: 15 Facebook Marketplace Items You'll Wish, From The Depths Of Your Soul, You Could Unsee Also in Internet Finds: People Are Confessing Their Absolute Pettiest "Revenge Served Cold" Stories, And It's Deliciously Entertaining Also in Internet Finds: 19 Things Society Glorifies That Are Actually Straight-Up Terrible, And We Need To Stop Pretending Otherwise
Forbes
24-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
3 Signs You're Mistaking Intensity For Love, By A Psychologist
'I was broken. I felt like a shell of a woman. Lonely and desperate.' These words come from a participant of a 2023 study published in Personal Relationships, which conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 65 individuals who had survived emotionally manipulative romantic relationships marked by gaslighting. The study found that what often begins as intense emotional intimacy, through early love bombing, excessive validation and shared vulnerability, can gradually distort a person's sense of self. The most common consequence wasn't heartbreak. It was psychological disorientation, identity erosion and what researchers called a 'diminished sense of self.' 'I barely felt like a person anymore,' one participant explained. Intensity in relationships involves seeking out acute, high-stimulation feelings that often stem from fear, anxiety or a desire to escape emotional numbness, not from genuine connection. Here are three signs you are mistaking emotional intensity for passion and how to escape this damaging relationship pattern: Individuals in high-intensity relationships often report a persistent sense of emotional urgency, marked by constant preoccupation with their partner's moods, reactions or availability. This can include heightened anxiety during periods of distance, disproportionate relief during reunions and chronic self-monitoring during conversations. While these patterns are frequently misinterpreted as deep romantic investment, they may more accurately reflect emotional dependency. Survivors of emotional manipulation commonly describe becoming 'hooked' on their partner's approval, to the point where their sense of self becomes conditional on that validation. 'The start of the relationship was intense in terms of emotional intimacy. We shared many details of our emotions and traumas very early, some even on the first date,' shared one participant from the 2023 study. Another noted, 'At the beginning of the relationship, both parties were 'bending-over-backward' for each other.' Despite this emotional fixation, individuals in such dynamics often report not feeling emotionally understood. They may spend considerable time overanalyzing conversations, anticipating needs and trying to avoid missteps — yet still feel unseen or mischaracterized. The disconnect between their emotional effort and their partner's responsiveness frequently leads to confusion, self-blame and an intensified drive to repair or prove their worth. This cycle can reinforce dependency rather than connection. When emotional safety is inconsistent, we may learn to equate tension with passion. However, true intimacy cannot exist without consistency, safety and mutual vulnerability. In emotionally intense relationships, connection often seems strongest immediately after conflict. The dynamic may be marked by frequent ruptures, including arguments, silent treatment or emotional withdrawal, followed by sudden closeness, reconciliation or affection. The 'best' moments are often right after the worst ones, when the pain lifts and relief sets in. As one participant of the 2023 study explained, 'Arguments started for no reason, switching rapidly to being extremely affectionate and sexual.' In such dynamics, peace and stability may feel boring, wrong even. Over time, this cycle can create the illusion that conflict is the gateway to intimacy. Couples may mistakenly believe, 'This must be real, because it hurts this much.' Recent research supports this pattern. A 2025 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that individuals with high levels of love addiction, defined as compulsive emotional dependence on a partner, showed a significantly higher tolerance for gaslighting, particularly when two mediating factors were present: a strong sense of giving and diminished relationship power. Participants often rationalized emotional volatility as devotion and, over time, came to equate sacrifice with love. As their sense of agency declined, their acceptance of manipulation increased. In these relationships, emotional rupture becomes not just a byproduct of conflict, but the mechanism by which closeness is repeatedly reestablished. As a result, relational calm may trigger anxiety, and intensity may become the only recognizable marker of love. In emotionally intense relationships, demeaning behavior is often reframed as emotional honesty. Criticism is interpreted as truth-telling. Withdrawal is seen as a response to being 'hurt too deeply.' Over time, these patterns can create the illusion that volatility reflects depth — that if someone reacts strongly, they must care deeply. This confusion is common in emotionally abusive dynamics. A 2013 study published in Violence and Victims found that degradation — including humiliation, belittlement and personal attacks — was the most commonly reported form of severe emotional abuse. Researchers identified patterns of ridicule, emotional withdrawal and isolation, often co-occurring and reinforcing each other. These behaviors can be misread by victims as intensity or emotional complexity rather than as abuse. When relational safety is inconsistent, individuals may begin to mold themselves to avoid conflict, earn back affection or prevent further rupture. Over time, cruelty is no longer seen as harmful but as a signal that the relationship matters — that there is something meaningful worth chasing, especially when the relationship has been positioned as unique or transcendent by the other person. But relational depth is not defined by how deeply someone can wound you. It's defined by how they respond to your vulnerability, and whether they protect it or exploit it. Genuine emotional depth requires safety, mutuality and accountability. Cruelty masked as insight or framed as undeniable truth—is not a marker of connection. It is a distortion of it. If intensity is your default, it may be a trauma response — especially if you grew up associating pain, unpredictability or adrenaline with closeness. Intensity is not proof of real love; it's a cue to pause and examine our relational patterns. Breaking these patterns requires redefining what love actually feels like. Here are a few questions worth reflecting on: If you're already losing parts of yourself early in a relationship, it may be time to pause. Intensity is not passion when it's rooted in fear. Love, care, trust and respect don't require suffering to feel real. When self-trust is shaky, emotional extremes can become the only signals we know how to follow. Rebuilding that trust helps you stop chasing love that feels unstable, and start recognizing love that feels safe. Have you found yourself holding on to love, even when the cost is too high? Take this science-backed test to learn more about your relationship patterns: Love Addiction Inventory
