The Influence of Culture on Romantic Relationships

Western and Non-Western Relationships

• Voluntary or Non-Voluntary Relationships
• In Western Cultures, we live in predominantly urban settings with easy geographical and social mobility.
• We voluntarily interact with a large number of people.
• High degree of choice in potential relationships and a greater pool. 
• Non western cultures have fewer urban centres and do not make many interactions daily
• Individual or Group-Based Relationships
• Western cultures okace great importance on rights and freedom of someone, putting their happiness first. 
• These cultures are individualist.
• Non western cultures focus on the group collectivist. 
• Collectivism choice is more to do with the family or the group.
• The Importance of Love in Romantic Relationships
• In western cultures we may expect to find differences regarding the importance of love in romantic relationships.
• In a survey; us people said they would not marry someone who they did not love but it was different in collectivist cultures. Prepared to marry in the absence of love. 
• Cultural Differences in Loneliness
• Cultures promoting a stron desire for romantic relationships can influence feelings of romantic loneliness in…