Valentine’s Day brings couples together, or does it?
In some cases, research shows the holiday can also prompt break-ups. KPBS News turned to San Diego State University assistant professor Alyson Shapiro with the Child and Family Development department to find out the ingredients of a healthy coupling.
Here are the highlights of that interview.
Q: Is celebrating Valentine's Day important for the health of a relationship?
A: Well, I’m not sure that it’s actually Valentine’s Day that’s really important as having romance in your life on a regular basis. As though there was a little Valentine’s Day in every week that you two need to celebrate.
Q: Do men and women respond to romantic cues such as Valentine's Day differently?
A: For women, it’s more important to them to feel that they have that emotional intimacy. So those gestures of romance that help them to feel loved and remembered might be more important to them. For men, what’s more important to them is that they’re having a good sexual relationship and that is being satisfied.
Q: What do you mean by make everyday Valentine's Day?
A: In terms of making sure that they have a little bit of love and nurturance and affection and time to just be there with each other in a few moments every day.
