An interesting article was published recently in the New York Times proposing that it might be beneficial for college age students to attend a class about how to love.
Many might think this is ridiculous but a lot of research is showing that the future generations are plugged in to screens and not each other. This trend has led to a hook up culture where individuals may “hook up” for casual sexual encounters and then may falter or struggle with how to engage in deeper more long term amorous relationships. This current generation of college goers is noted as having high self-esteem but little ability to connect well with peers and little ability to develop real as opposed to virtual intimacy. I do not think the ability to develop and maintain intimacy is so easy for lots of people and if future generations have even less facility based on the world they are living in, why not offer a little help.
I actually think a course on love is a fabulous idea! One college counseling center in the article felt it would really help the kids that are reporting that they only know about hooking up and could use some guidance with the rest of what a good relationship might entail. I can already think of several books that might be helpful in learning about both sexuality and intimacy and how to combine the two.
Even if one grows up with great role models, it can be difficult to figure out how to make that happen in your own life. The rules and times have changed. I see many patients whose parents met in high school and they have been married for 20, 30, 40 years. It can be challenging for these parents to advise their children about the world of online dating, experimenting with sexuality and sometimes how to balance the world of work/career and love, when their experiences have been so different.
If you would like to see the article click here. For my suggested reading list, tune in next week…