Partnership and Norms Essay

Partner selection and dating is an imperative basis in an individual’s accomplishment of one of his psychosocial needs. Selecting a partner and the process of dating is crucial in determining the quality and nature of future relationships and marital decisions. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, as represented by a pyramid which indicates the basic needs of man and its importance in self-actualization, the third most significant need of man is the need to belong and be loved by others (Huitt, 2004). An individual’s need to become an accepted and valuable part of society, and the need to affiliate with people of the opposite sex, is an innate characteristic of man. Therefore, selecting a partner becomes an important decision that one must make based on the most convenient choice. These choices, however, vary under various circumstances, as it is influenced by society, culture, priorities, experiences, etc. For instance, differing concepts and perceptions about love vary for individuals; therefore their decisions in selecting a partner also vary. One’s concept of love, dating, partner selection, relationship, marriage, etc. may be influenced by social factors. Society often dictates standards and norms of dating. For example, individuals who live in a society which values social status and the preservation of this particular position in society practices arranged marriages. This is usually true, especially during the age of kingdoms and monarchs. Partner selection and dating may also be influenced by culture. In ancient China, marrying individuals from different cultural backgrounds was forbidden. In this case, race and cultural compatibility becomes influential in choosing a partner. At present, however, choosing a partner and the rules of dating have changed and have evolved into a more liberal milieu. Individuals have acquired the freedom to choose partners and date, depending on their personal views and perceptions of love, relationship, and marriage as formed by their priorities and experience, such as emphasizing importance on educational attainment, occupational status, etc. These choices and priorities are backed up theories which explains once social and personal construct regarding the matter. For instance, idolizing a parent influences individuals to choose partners with characteristics similar to their parents, etc. There are a lot of significant information that pertains to partner selection and dating (Mohatta, 2006), however, the main point is that choices and decisions being made regarding an individual’s selection of a partner, setting up of dating rules and principles to live by, reasons for staying in or leaving a relationship, going into marriage, etc. vary depending on several factors, such as culture, environment, society, family, personal choices and experiences, priorities, etc. Similar to partner selection and dating, sexual norms and sexual relationships also vary depending on one’s culture and perceptions. Two different societies were mentioned and described in the lecture which greatly explains the variation between these two societies regarding sexual norms and practice. The main argument stated herein is that an individual’s concept and perception of sex is learned from the society where he belongs. This is proved by the obvious knowledge that children, as young as they are, do not understand nor have ideas and contributions pertaining to issues and discussions regarding sex. Therefore, individuals gather the idea, perception, meaning, and importance of sex from the environment. For instance, a family environment which is not open about the idea of talking about sex with their children because members of the family regard it as a wrong deed is passed on to their children. In contrast, a society open to sex education, especially in educational institutions, allows students to acquire knowledge about sexual norms and practices, leading them to become aware of all its aspects. This can be important in informing students about sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregnancy, safe sex, etc. With these alarming issues, most especially the high rate of individuals who acquire AIDS from numerous sexual encounters, or teenagers facing the responsibility of motherhood and parenting, more societies are accepting and pushing for the administration of sexual education in educational institutions. On the other hand, religious institutions are battling this societal move by reiterating their disapproval of the use of contraceptives, as encouraged by sex education, based on religious teachings and principles (Villaviray-Giolagon, 2007). Therefore, students who absorb information learned from sexual education may start to become open-minded about sexual responsibility; while on the other hand, churchgoers strengthen their stand for abstinence and marriage before sexual interaction. These two opposing viewpoints from educational institution and the religious institutions illustrate how an individual’s idea and perception of sexual norms and sexual relationships vary depending on environment.