Thanks to Jezebel columnist Callie Beusman, I discovered a rather interesting idea that seems to complement Amanda Marcotte’s recent piece at Slate without sounding half as ridiculous. In summary, Beusman wrote that the current economic climate makes it difficult to establish lasting romantic relationships and marriages. When a would-be lover does not have a lot of money at her disposal, frequenting public places where she is likely to meet a future partner, and then entertaining that partner with material things, becomes much more difficult. I hope I’m not wearing blinders, but it seems to me that material things are not the be-all-and-end-all of a stable bond.
My experience as a broke student who grew up in a home where money was tight only gives me a small taste of what others face in the world of full-time work, or lack of it. Please don’t hold this against me. Don’t get me wrong, treating the object of your affections with dinner out, sparkling jewelry, or a fishing getaway for two is a lovely thing to do. Even so, this is not the first period of economic uncertainty humanity has faced. What did previous generations do? Previously, if someone loved you, they would give anything short of their right arm to be with you. They held on tight, weathered the storm, and treasured the little moments that don’t need money to be made. Creating memories that will last a lifetime doesn’t require vast financial resources.
Taylor Hyatt is a summer student at The Interim.
