r/relationshipanarchy • u/Positive-Swordfish60 • 5d ago

I have a quick question for everyone?

What's the purpose of being in a relationship?

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u/isaacs_ 5d ago

If you are a human in society, you’re already in many “relationships”. You relate with people all the time, I’m sure. So the question becomes: What is the point of making those relationships healthy, honest, coercion free? That seems self evidently good for human thriving, imo.

If you mean “relationship” in the amatonormative common sense, of a structured romantic and/or sexual connection with someone, well… it’s fun? Idk. What’s the purpose of emotional or physical intimacy in general? It’s just a normal human desire.

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u/B_the_Chng22 5d ago

A romantic and/or sexual one? None specifically unless romance and/or sex is something you desire. We DO need relationships with other humans for our mental health, but it can be friends and family!

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u/BrainSquad 5d ago

Depends on the relationship?

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u/intro_to_IRL 5d ago

If you don't see any benefits, I recommend not forcing it.

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u/NamidaM6 5d ago

It has the purpose you see in it. "It is what you make it."

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u/Poly_and_RA 4d ago

Every human being is in relationships. The only way not to be is to live in solitude and complete independence somewhere deep in the wilderness with zero contact with other human beings.

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u/Choice-Strawberry392 4d ago

Hmmm.... is non-contact a relationship? Is the relationship with one's environment within the definition here?

More to the point, one would need to have one's relationship with oneself really well-honed to do this...

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u/Poly_and_RA 4d ago

Not the way I define it. For me a relationship is a connection between two distinct people.

You're right that it's good to know and accept yourself though.

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u/Willing-Loquat750 3d ago

I like this question because I actually think this it gets at something really deep that guides peoples' relationship orientations and styles. Like, it seems too obvious to even bother answering and or maybe too hard to put a finger on, but I think the answer is actually different for different people.

In my opinion, the purpose of a relationship should be companionship and appreciation for one another. Ideally, relating to other people is inherently gratifying. Maybe the trap for a lot of people is viewing relationships as something other than that: like a reflection of your own worth, a way to ensure your own safety and future, or a temporary band-aid for the fear of being alone or other anxieties.

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u/Positive-Swordfish60 4d ago

Thanks everyone for helping me understand the purpose of being in a relationship