From cheap chocolates and heart-shaped decor, to the expectations for lavish romantic dates, Valentine’s Day has been a controversial holiday when it comes to how meaningful it is opposed to how ‘stupid’ some see it as.
For most romantic couples, Valentine’s Day is a mix between sweetness and stress. It’s a wonderful time to express your admiration for your partner, and joy is all around! On the other hand, planning the perfect Valentine’s Day can leave couples feeling pressured to get it right.
There’s no shame in being single, but many people not in relationships have split opinions about the holiday. While some claim it can be a sweet atmosphere, many single people say Valentine’s Day is a stark reminder of societal expectations to be constantly in a relationship.
Both sides are crafting good points on the validity of this holiday. Let’s take a deeper dive into what Valentine’s Day stands for, represents, and has eventually become.
History Behind The Heart Story
The story behind Valentine’s Day dates back to 3rd century Rome. The ruler at the time was Emperor Claudius II, from the Julio-Claudian dynasty. The Roman people were happy to have Claudius as a ruler after the wackshow that was his predecessor, Caligula’s, rule.
However, things became troubled when one of the Roman priests, a man named St. Valentine, went against the Emperor’s wishes. Claudius had banned marriage around the 260s AD, due to recruitment of men for his army being too low He wanted to avoid possible soldiers running off with women to get married, and so it became outlawed.
St. Valentine continued marrying couples in secrecy from Claudius. He wanted to keep the soldiers and government from finding out about this ministry, and he was able to keep it secret for a few years. His execution occurred around 273 AD, on February 14th, when word got out he had been defying the law. They originally tried to club him to death, then stone him, but when both of those methods failed, they simply beheaded St. Valentine.
Eventually following his death, the Romans began celebrating a violent festival of love known as Lupercalia, with traditions such as sacrificing animals and fertility rites. Lupercalia took place from February 13th to February 15th, and was a Pagan festival!
Modern Valentine’s Day is celebrated rather differently than the Roman traditions that sparked it. Most people do not use Valentine’s Day as a reason to run around drunk and naked anymore, but that was common practice during Lupercalia in Rome.
Even as the stories and celebrations have changed as history goes on, the original significance behind St. Valentine’s day was love, fun, and fertility, and those pillars are still upheld in today’s celebrations. Whether it be a romantic dinner out with your partner, a peaceful night spent together at home, or anything in between, showing love through words and actions can make every Valentine’s Day special.
Pros & Cons of Xs & Os
Many people have their own opinions on the validity of celebrating Valentine’s Day. This split in appreciation can be caused by factors such as their relationship status, their excitement to celebrate, and their possible dislike of the culture surrounding it.
The most common arguments against this holiday come from people not in romantic relationships, or in simple terms, single people. For them, it can be obnoxious to see romance all shoved in their face for the month leading up to Valentine’s Day. Whether that makes them angry or jealous is personal interpretation.
In addition to that, some people claim Valentine’s Day holds less significant meaning. What’s the point of a day dedicated to showing love to your partner when you can do that any day of the year? Do you really need all the flashy pinks and conversation hearts just to say, “I love you?”
Love, Loathe, or Let It Lie
I had the chance to interview some members of the Gateway community to pop the question (no, not “Will You Marry Me?”,) on their thoughts and feelings towards Valentine’s Day!
“I do not celebrate Valentine’s Day. I think you should show the person you’re with love every day of the year, not just one random day of a month,” a Gateway staff member reported.
A similar take from writer Rabia Chatriwala with Niles News West states:
“To me, Valentine’s Day is just an excuse for people to act as if they care about their significant others. There doesn’t need to be a “holiday” to celebrate your significant other.”
Between the rush for fancy date reservations, the pressure to buy expensive gifts, and the expectations people set on you and your partner, Valentine’s Day can seem like a lot of work for a little reward.
An anonymous Gateway student took the positive angle, telling us:
“I think it’s a nice holiday. I understand why some people don’t like it, but I think that, even if they don’t have a Valentine, they can still celebrate their love for friends and family.”
The student brings up a good point, being that not all love is romantic. Time spent with all of your loved ones, whether platonic or familial, is just as valuable as a significant other!
This age-old debate may cause problems between significant others. If one partner believes in celebrating, and the other partner is deeply against it, the clash could lead to disappointment or hurt in the relationship. Clear communication about Valentine’s Day plans (avoid wild surprises if possible!) can set healthy expectations to make this day a fun one, regardless of any flaws.
If you’re wondering my opinion, which I doubt you are… I like Valentine’s Day! I’m not very interested in romance myself, but any day where I can buy heart-shaped chocolate and glittery pink decor is a day I’ll welcome with open arms. I don’t want a Valentine or romantic partner to celebrate it with, but I take the day to celebrate my friends and all they do for me. The warm atmosphere and the spirit of joy (plus the inevitable sugar rush when I dive into some conversation hearts) is enough to get me pumped.
Do you have any opinions on the celebration of Valentine’s Day, or do you have lovely plans you’re looking forward to? Leave a comment down below and let us know what you think! The Chomp Newspaper loves you, even if we can’t afford to take you out for steak. 😉
