Anxiety,
depression connected to V-Day
By Mari Shinkai
On-line Forty-Niner
Valentine’s
Day, a celebration of love and particularly
of passionate, romantic love with a beloved
person is two-days away. Is Valentine’s
Day a time to rejoice in your adoration
of your sweetie? Or are you left out, because
you are one of women who have no one to
share your love on the special day?
For some women who do not have a valentine,
the fact might create anxiety or acute depression
because they have failed at one of the important
aspects of womanhood and femininity in our
culture in a way, said Cheryl Cooky, sociology
lecturer.
“Women experience cultural pressure to have
a valentine because there is more acceptance
in our society if a man is single on Valentine’s
Day, whereas for women being single presents
a failure on her part,” Cooky said.
“Valentine’s Day is not all hugs and kisses,”
said Saori Otani, senior biology major who
recently broke up with her boyfriend. “It
could be the loneliest day of the year for
women who don’t have someone special.”
From movies, to television shows, to magazines,
to radio morning shows among others, women
are constantly inundated with the imagery
of fairy tale romance.
“Women receive messages from popular culture
that Valentine’s Day is about love with
someone whom you are romantically involved,”
Cooky said. “Both the holiday and media
are part of a larger cultural dynamic wherein
women are encouraged to value themselves
as individuals based on the presence of
prince charming in their lives.”
According to Emmitt Clark, psychology professor,
commercial valentines also affect not only
women, but also men psychologically.
“Since many women are so materialistic because
our society creates the commodification
of love in many ways, men experience cultural
pressure to make the day and buy his Valentine
something special,” Clark said.
The commercialism of the holiday impacts
our society into thinking that love can
be measured by the cost of the gift, especially
from men to women. Women become disappointed
or might feel depressed if they don’t get
what they want for Valentine’s Day, Clark
said.
There were no students who sought for help
at Counseling and Psychological Services
regarding Valentine’s Day, according to
Judy L. Prince, psychologist at Counseling
and Psychological Services. However, Prince
encourages both male and female students
to feel free to stop by if they feel any
kind of pressures or depression as Valentine’s
Day approaches.
“It’s possible that it could be a reminder
and pressure that they are lonely and need
someone to love or they love,” Prince said.
The history of Valentine’s Day and its patron
saint is shrouded in mystery. But we do
know that February has long been a month
of romance. There is belief that birds choose
their mates on February 14, plus the belief
that spring is a time for lovers.
Valentine’s Day is all about love. But,
it is also the day to remember not to be
confused by the sham or make-believe love.
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