Find out confluent love meaning.
What is Confluent Love?
Confluent love is a type of love that states that individuals are now looking to create meaningful relationships that are based on love and respect, rather than commitment.
In his book, “The Transformation of Intimacy: Sexuality, Love and Eroticism in Modern Societies,” the British sociologist Anthony Giddens (1992) argues that confluent love is a “social relation…entered into for its own sake; and which is continued only in so far as it is thought by both parties to deliver enough satisfaction for each individual to stay within it” (Cornville & Rogers, 1998, p. 97).
The relationship is maintained as long as it is beneficial for the individuals. When it’s no longer beneficial then an individual will seek a meaningful alternative.
It is unsurprising to see people breaking up, divorcing, having affairs, and seeking legal separation because of confluent love.
Read: Best 50 Ways To Stay In Love Forever With Your Partner
Healthy Relationship Checklist
Difference between confluent love and romantic love
Unlike romantic love, confluent love has no commitment to enter into marriage or to last until death.
Also, confluent love, unlike romantic love, is not always monogamous.
Confluent love has no religious dimension. It ends when parties involved feel that the relationship is no longer fulfilling.
What Makes a Good Relationship?
A good relationship is based on a number of things:
- mutual respect,
- a relatively equal balance of power,
- sensitivity to each other’s feelings and needs, and
- an appreciation of the things that make each partner special.
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References
- Transformation of intimacy and its impact in developing countries – PMC (nih.gov)
- The Changing Landscape of Love and Marriage – PMC (nih.gov)
- confluent love: a conversation (uow.edu.au)
- Anthony Giddens – Wikipedia
