The term relationship is defined as; the way in which two or more people or things are connected, or the state of being connected. We see above an example of how a relationship between two people can work; both parties working together to accomplish an objective. In our society and lifetime in general exists many types of relationships; with Valentines day less than a month away I figured I would take a bit to talk about the subject. Relationships exist at the most rudimentary level in our ecosystem and are listed in three main categories; commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism. Maybe after reading you might see the type of relationship you want or fit into...
Above we have the infamous Dutch Rudder; a move that is truly something special and rarely experienced. This maneuver is a perfect example of a Commensalism oriented relationship. This is where you have a relationship between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm. This can be linked to maybe what we see in a sugar daddy/mamma situation where the sugar person in question provides financial care with no expectations of a return on their contributions besides the persons happiness. My favorite celebrity crush Brianna Frost I know is fortunate enough to benefit from a relationship of this kind. Kind men from across the world send her donations through her site or buy her things off her Amazon wishlist and will probably never even get a hug much less to meet her in person.
The next relationship type we have to look at is the Parasitism type; this is when only one organism benefits while the other is harmed. Gold Diggers are toted as being women who forms relationships with men purely to obtain money or gifts from them. That sounds like a pretty on point example of a parasite just leeching on and sucking dry their source of sustenance. Maybe this hits closer to home and you might even know someone that is like this. Its odd how this type of relationship still exists in this day and age considering all the feminism that exists and pop culture boosting the idea of women being strong, single and independent. Small side note before anyone gets their panties in a bunch this applies to worthless men as well taking advantage of the same situation I just highlighted women for a bit since the song is focused as such accordingly. Something even as simple as a coworker or friend constantly using you for their own personal benefit and never truly contributing back anything for your sake can be deemed a Parasitism type relationship.
Finally we reach the pinnacle of relationship excellence, this is the stuff dreams are made of and the type of love that mainly existed back in the day and isn't as common in our society anymore. Had to save the best for last as we take a look at Mutualism based relationships. This is a relationship where mutual dependence is necessary to social well-being. Even though they exist in a video game the relationship between Mario and Princess Peach is truly one for the ages. A generation of games spanning decades and he always goes to rescue her and she always waits for him to rescue her. In all seriousness though a truly Mutualism based relationship is what we all should strive for where you feel complete because the other person makes your life whole and fills in the missing segments of your being. Saw this and I knew I had to include it in this post; granted no relationship will be perfect, but its the effort to try and make it perfect that gets it there or as close as possible...
Granted I know we started this off based on Valentine's Day being around the corner and the basis of typical couple based relationships this can also be applied to your everyday interactions with people in society on a day to day basis. If you find yourself being take advantage of or using others based on the types of relationships try to make a conscious decision to fix your relationship and strive to maintain a balance where you can exist mutually. For every little you do for someone today; it's that much more you don't have to do for someone tomorrow...
3 comments
The perfect relationship? Isn't that what all little girls dream about, and what we grow up hearing our favourite R&B and soul singers sing about? Unfortunately that perspective or idea gets fucked with as we gain experience, have expectations and influences as many of us grow up. Having a consummate kind of love is one of the best relationships that you can find. I'm sure to many it seems like a fairy-tale and unrealistic in this society and even if it starts out like that it seems hard to hold on to or grasp. To feel something that pure, where both parties have realistic expectations of each other, being fully committed, having passion and that kind of intimacy is something that we all need.Perhaps if we had more relationships like that we would have less people being bitter, hurting each other and aiming to see what finances they can get out of the relationship. I agree with you whole heatedly,a relationship is suppose to be every bit like a team. It's a two member team where no one is allowed to join and you don't allow others to wedge between the relationship. It's not in the lease bit easy, but you choose your battles wisely and work on communicating and understanding each other, while not allowing outside influence to ruin the structure that you both have built. I don't particularly celebrate valentines day but i'm hoping to celebrate this one with the aim of starting a fresh in the right direction and a real reason to celebrate it for the first time.
Mutual based relationships are a thing of the past? Cynical much?
The unfortunate true is that people have become supremely selfish and while most people yearn for the companionship from a mutual based relationship, few really understand that it is something that requires compromise and constant work. It's each person's responsibility to play their part in the relationship to achieve the balance and harmony they seek.
I love the little plaque of "The Perfect Relationship" nice summary of how it's supposed to look.
@disturbedgato good luck with the relationship.
@Arnella Just calling it like it is. Thats the world of cynicism we live in. You are totally right about the compromise and work aspect as well.