As a teenager, I feel like the idea of love can be quite complicated, especially around Valentine’s Day. But let’s dive into the thoughts of a few people that attend and teach here at Battle.
Senior Lienna Marshman believes Valentine’s Day can cause social issues depending on how someone was raised and who they are as a person. She also believes that it’s fairly normal for single people to feel excluded on Valentine’s Day, but Marshman thinks it depends on how you view the holiday. “You can sit and feel sorry for yourself. Or enjoy what you’ve got going on in your life.”
Marshman thinks there should be a holiday about celebrating the people you love. “I think focusing on the significant other can be important in some relationships to regain that connection.” However, she mentions love should be celebrated all the time.
Regarding commercial and profitable circumstances, Marshman feels that big corporations jump at opportunities like holidays—specifically Valentine’s Day—to make more money.
Matthew Crook, World History and Sociology teacher, feels that younger people are redefining the idea of relationships. He says, “Relationships that aren’t clearly defined disrupts the notion of needing and committing to one partner.” But despite the idea of needing and to devoting one singular person is changing, Crook doesn’t think “situationships” are ruining Valentine’s Day because big corporations will find a way to commodify that. Crook also believes that the concept of Valentine’s Day can be very “traditional and gendered” leaving men obligated to get a gift for the female partner.
Looking at the holiday from an economic viewpoint, Crook says “It’s cool to show people that you love them, but I do think that Valentine’s Day has been commodified through the influence of corporations because the ordinary person feels pressured to consume.” Crook thinks there indeed should be a day to focus intentionally on sharing your love for someone, but relationships shouldn’t be defined on how much you’re willing to spend. “I think we should have a day dedicated to expressing your love for someone. Should we feel the necessity to purchase and consume to show that love? No.”
Aden Morgan, freshman, has a similar, yet a bit of a diverting idea about Valentine’s Day than the previous people that were interviewed. He thinks that it depends on the person and how they view Valentine’s Day, but overall he doesn’t think the holiday causes social issues among those who are single and those who are not. “I think that if people mind their business they shouldn’t care.” Although, Morgan does think that single people can feel excluded on Valentine’s Day because to him, the holiday is about celebrating your significant other, but if you don’t have that significant other that can cause someone to feel left out.
As far as relationship labels like “talking stages” or “situationships” go, Morgan believes that those statuses of relationships aren’t applied to Valentine’s day. Therefore, they do not affect the holiday.
When asked about how he feels about the holiday from a capitalistic perspective, Morgan thinks Valentine’s Day is not about big corporations making money, but about a holiday to celebrate people who are in love. He suggests that it’s a sentimental holiday and that it’s okay to get gifts for the person you love, considering that gift giving is a type of love language. He says that Valentine’s Day should be a holiday because it’s a good way to show the person you love that you care about them.
The last perspective was shared by Roman Leaphart, English teacher, who feels like people just think of Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday when it can be both romantic and platonic. Leaphart says that high school students confuse him because often they have “on and off” relationships. He also added that he respects that at our young ages we are able to quickly leave toxic situations and find what works for us. “Know your worth, and know if someone is not loving you the way you want to be loved, move on. “
As for a monetary standpoint, Leaphart thinks because of commercialism and capitalism Valentine’s Day has become about receiving gifts. He believes that people should be able to show love 365 days a year with being prompted. “I think we shouldn’t need a specific day to express our love.”
Valentine’s Day is very overrated socially, economically, and is taken way too seriously among students at Battle High School. But that’s not a reason to dislike the holiday. It’s completely fine to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Celebrate Valentine’s Day or don’t, if that makes you more comfortable. The pressure to find a partner so you don’t feel “left out” on the holiday or the pressure to buy something for said partner is overall exhausting. Nevertheless, the love we exchange among partners, friends, and family gives a rewarding feeling in the end.