The Media in our Relationships

Hi Everyone,
The media has a definate effect on our lives in general including, of course our relationships. It greatly influences how we view and define and it also indirectly affects how people behave in relationships. Usually, a very extreme view of relationships is presented in the media, like extreme love or hatred, the intermediate stable relationships that we see in our daily lives are rearly represented. This picture affects yputh because they dont know what to expect in a relationship, and they strive to find this true flaming love that they see on the screens, while it is greatly exaggerated.
Western media has also presented the world and especially the conservative societies of the Middle East with a new definition of relationships, that they are urging us to accept indirectly. Through the American soap operas, we see shows like Friends for instance, that basically announce it acceptable to have as many sexual relationships outside of marriage as you wish, and it is ok to live with your boyfriend...and so on. All these are new forms of relationships that entered the Arab world through the Western media. You might argue that these examples were portrayed in Arab media since we had media. Well...there is a clear difference in how they are shown, the Arab media criminalized "illegal" relationships while American media presents it as the norm.
The media also affects relationships of adults who are in serious relationships. For example divorce was not the easiest solution to any obstacle that faces couples in a marriage, but the media has promoted divorce as the easiest way out.
But, looking at te half full portion as they say, the media also has a good role in relationships. It shows real examples of love, and makes people believe there is love, its not always exaggerated. And it spread awareness about rights and responsibilities in a relationship, especially to women. As everything the media's impact on relationships has positive and negative attributes and we should be aware of what we are consuming and to what extent is it affecting us.