Have you ever dealt with a toxic relationship? If you have, then you know it’s a tough experience to deal with and not as romantic as social media portrays it to be. Glamorizing toxic relationships on social media can be risky, as unhealthy tendencies in relationships can become greater and greater, leading to bad endings.
The glamorization of toxic relationships is especially present in social media. It’s been so normalized that we believe certain behaviors are normal, causing us to overlook them. But if we pay close attention, we’ll realize that these behaviors usually indicate greater things. For example, if you are dating someone and they start acting very jealous or get angry when you go out, you would think it’s cute because social media has made you believe that jealousy equals care. However, this may actually indicate that the person is possessive. Possessiveness may even attract you, too, but it’s important to note that possessiveness is usually associated with a short temper and the possessive partner may control you more and more until you feel trapped. It may also lead to greater outcomes such as domestic violence. We shouldn’t just overlook certain things because we think they “aren’t a big deal,” when in fact, they are a huge deal and so much can be prevented if we recognize certain behaviors early on.
One of the major reasons why the glamorization of toxic relationships is dangerous is because it gives younger generations false beliefs on how relationships should be. As we know, the number of kids in late childhood and teens in early and middle adolescence on social media has increased, meaning an increased exposure to society’s beliefs and ideas including the normalization of toxic behaviors in relationships. Due to this exposure and their vulnerability, they are growing up to believe certain behaviors are okay, pushing us further away from preventing certain social issues such as mental and physical abuse in relationships.
It’s important to be careful on how we portray toxic relationships on social media in order to maintain healthy lifestyles for ourselves and for younger generations. Let’s instead highlight the importance of secure, healthy relationships. Plus, who wouldn’t want a relationship where trust is at its peak?
Source: tyroneeagleeyenews.com
-Ximena Barrios