An illustration depicts Journalism I Facilitator Grady Dunston debating Valentine’s Day with Viewpoints Staffer Sara Stuart. Valentine’s Day can be seen from multiple perspectives, for and against. “On top of the affection and value of gift giving, Valentine’s Day is an excuse to spend time with your community,” Dunston wrote. “Places like Kilwins and Condor often have limited time items and discounts through February and there are plenty of events that are Valentine’s-themed downtown.” Illustration by Tess van Wagtendonk
Journalism I Facilitator Grady Dunston and Viewpoints Staffer Sara Stuart debate the issues with and benefits of Valentine’s Day.
The pros of Valentine’s Day
On Feb. 14, couples find ways, some more cliche than others, to show their affection for each other, leaving the halls dazzled in balloons, candies and other gifts. While sure there are mixed opinions, there really is nothing to dislike.
Some say that Valentine’s Day is just an excuse to show off your significant other, but it’s actually a holiday people have spent showing affection for each other since elementary school. Valentine’s Day isn’t just for cliche couples and Instagram stories, but also a time to show affection to anyone you love.
Love isn’t just reserved for your significant other, but also your closest friends, important family members and even yourself. It’s not the same kind of love, but Valentine’s Day is a great way to show appreciation to those who make your day better.
But, in reality, it does not promote fake romance, instead it just puts aside a time to bond. Any other time, people are often swarmed with work, school, and other day-to-day chores, but Valentine’s Day gives time to center your attention on those who you share affection for.
On top of the affection and value of gift giving, Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to spend time with your community. Places like Kilwins and Condor Chocolates often have limited time items and discounts throughout Februaryand there are plenty of events that are Valentine’s themed in Downtown Athens.
Even those without a partner can enjoy the value of a Valentine’s gift from a loved one. Some families will even have their own gift exchange, typically gifting Valentine’s-themed candy and small trinkets.
Some people would argue that it just creates an obligation to be romantic with your significant other. But, in reality, it does not promote fake romance, instead it just puts aside a time to bond. Any other time, people are often swarmed with work, school, and other day-to-day chores, but Valentine’s Day gives time to center your attention on those who you share affection for.
Valentine’s Day brings friends, families, couples and any other loved ones together. Clearly, it is much more than just another consumerist holiday.
The cons of Valentine’s Day
Imagine walking into school on Feb. 14 and there’s balloons and candies and loud couples clogging up the halls everywhere while people are just trying to get to class.
Although it’s supposed to be a “special day” for spreading love, it’s really not. It isolates those without someone to spend Valentine’s Day with, and it rushes people into relationships with the “need” of finding a valentine.
Although single people can spend Valentine’s Day with their family or friends, it still creates a sense of feeling unwanted.
While it may be enjoyable for those with a partner, the holiday is a cruel reminder of loneliness and bad memories to those without one.
If a couple doesn’t fit into these movie-perfect clichés like asking their partner to be their valentine or getting extravagant gifts for each other, the day can create jealousy and cause comparisons between their relationship and others around them.
Even though Valentine’s Day was created to be a happy day filled with love and a time to be around those you care for, it adds salt to the wound for people without a partner to celebrate with.
Additionally, Valentine’s Day is outdated with continuous traditions and cliches. From the way that the movies frame this holiday, to how people celebrate it with loads of pink and red gifts, it’s just repetitive. Also, Valentine’s Day can turn into a way to peer pressure people with a partner.
If a couple doesn’t fit into these movie-perfect clichés like asking their partner to be their valentine or getting extravagant gifts for each other, the day can create jealousy and cause comparisons between their relationship and others around them.
After Christmas, for people with a partner, they’re most likely already drained and broke from gift giving, and Valentine’s Day coming up only adds stress. Valentine’s Day just gives an excuse to buy useless trinkets that typically won’t last or will be outdated by the time next Valentine’s Day comes around.
