In the current wide universe of sexual-affective ties, the options are as numerous as they are diverse.
In this context, the Anglicism “
situationship
” appears to replace
the classic “love relationship” with “love
situation ”.
According to a Tinder report, the presence of the "situationship" is such that it is already positioned as one of the three things that singles between the ages of 18 and 25 seek the most, along with company and friendship.
What is a situationship?
It is "a concept incubated within Generation Z and Millennials and refers to the passage from relationship to situation, a type of bonding modality where the people involved have a physical and emotional connection, without any kind of labels and, probably, without a long-term project”, explained to
Clarín Noelia Benedetto
, a sexologist and psychologist specializing in non-monogamous relationships.
"Situationship" includes the emotional and the sexual, but without labels or long-term plan.
Photo illustration Shutterstock.
Despite the possible absence of a plan for the future, he clarified, “the fact that there is no project from the start does not mean that it does not last.
It may also reach something of the order of the normative (or not)”.
The specialist explained that those involved do not have an exclusive
contract here
, but, nevertheless, they share issues related to the intimate and emotional.
"There is no room for labels such as courtship or couple, there is no formal commitment a priori, but time, experiences, affections, feelings, spaces, social circles, dialogue and something similar to trust are shared."
The next chapter to "friends with benefits"
"There is a greater recognition of the complexity and diversity of different sexual-affective relationships," said Benedetto. Photo illustration Shutterstock.
Benedetto mentioned that this, something like “a synonym for 'having something' or 'being in one', refers to the transitory, to 'let's see'”.
The existence of modalities such as "relationship", according to her, is due to the fact that "there is a greater recognition of the complexity and diversity of the different sexual-affective relationships that can be presented, which led to the popularity of certain terms that replace '90s expressions like 'friends with benefits', where the focus was only on the sexual”.
Unlike that famous “right to touch”, a “situationship covers aspects related to sex, intimacy, communication, romance, company and containment”.
The psychologist also clarified that there is the possibility that some people read it as something ambiguous and this generates "a wide range of options between the
limits of friendship and courtship
."
Here and now
A large part of young people choose not to prioritize sexual-affective or partner relationships over other ties.
Photo illustration Shutterstock.
The sexologist (on Instagram, @lic.noeliabenedetto) maintained that although the rise of "relationships" can be explained by the large percentage of the young population that chooses not to prioritize sexual-affective or partner relationships above others, it
can
also be due to to the deconstruction of the implicit social norm that establishes that we can only relate through one type of love.
In addition, he highlighted that although “the culture of immediacy implies the constant search for immediate or instant gratification that can influence relationship dynamics by promoting the idea of a quick connection, without commitment and without ties;
Neither this nor age are the only reasons why people may prefer this type of relationship”.
Thus, among the possible explanations, he mentioned that it is possible that "these generations want to avoid the discomforts caused by emotional attachment, but without neglecting their desires in relation to affective sex."
look also
How to choose the first sex toy: fundamental keys for beginners
How to balance time with your partner, friends and family
World Sleep Day: the mistake of thinking of sex as a "remedy" to sleep well