Are Situationships Always Toxic?
When “it’s complicated” becomes the new normal
VICTORIA NG
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Navigating the modern dating landscape can be complicated and confusing. With the rise of casual dating apps and a cultural shift towards non-traditional relationships, it's becoming more common for people to find themselves in situationships. Situationships are a type of romantic relationship that blurs the lines between casual hookups and traditional relationships, often leaving both parties uncertain about their level of commitment to one another. While situationships can be enjoyable for some, they can also be emotionally complicated and challenging. In this article, we'll explore the concept of situationships and are they always toxic?
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What Are SItuationships?
Situationships are a type of romantic relationship that is characterized by a lack of commitment or clear boundaries. They are often described as a gray area between a casual hookup and a traditional romantic relationship. In a situationship, two people may spend time together and engage in intimate activities, but they are not officially dating and there is no expectation of a long-term commitment.
Situationships can arise for a variety of reasons. Sometimes people may be hesitant to commit to a traditional relationship due to past experiences or fear of being hurt. Other times, situationships may be a result of busy schedules or the desire to focus on personal goals without the constraints of a traditional relationship.
One of the defining features of a situationship is the lack of clear boundaries. This can make it difficult for both people involved to understand where they stand in the relationship. Communication can be vague or non-existent, and there may be confusion about expectations or future plans.
While situationships can be enjoyable for some people, they can also be emotionally challenging. The lack of clear boundaries and commitment can lead to feelings of uncertainty, insecurity, and even heartbreak. It's important for both people involved to be honest about their feelings and intentions in order to avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings.
Are Situationships Always Toxic?
Situationships can be toxic for several reasons. One of the primary reasons is the lack of clear boundaries and expectations, which can lead to confusion, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings. This can result in emotional pain and distress for one or both people involved.
In situationships, one or both partners may be hesitant to commit to a traditional relationship, which can lead to a lack of emotional investment. This lack of investment can result in a lack of effort to maintain the relationship, which can lead to neglect, and even emotional detachment.
Additionally, situationships can create a power dynamic where one person holds more control over the relationship than the other. This power dynamic can lead to manipulation, coercion, and emotional abuse, which can be harmful and toxic.
Another reason why situationships can be toxic is that they can prevent both partners from pursuing other romantic opportunities. In a situationship, one or both partners may feel emotionally attached but lack the commitment necessary to pursue other romantic relationships. This can lead to feelings of being stuck or trapped in the relationship, which can be frustrating and emotionally draining.
Furthermore, situationships can create an environment that enables infidelity. If there are no clear boundaries or expectations in the relationship, one or both partners may feel justified in pursuing other romantic interests outside of the situationship. This can lead to emotional pain, hurt feelings, and even the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
In conclusion, situationships can be toxic for several reasons, including a lack of clear boundaries, emotional detachment, power dynamics, and the potential for infidelity. While situationships may work for some people, it's important to recognize the potential risks and to communicate openly and honestly about expectations and intentions in any type of romantic relationship.
VICTORIA NG | Contributing Writer
Victoria, a.k.a Vicky is a creative freelancer who hails from Singapore, she loves to ‘vibe’ on the internet and pretty much prefers cats over humans. She has a fondness for things that carry an air of nostalgia and enjoys cafe hopping on weekends. Her current struggle is trying to spend less time on Tiktok, she can hear the “ting ting ting dang ting” song in her ears. She hopes to own a corgi someday.
