My mother and other valued women in my life have been telling me for years that it’s only a matter of time before the boys my age reach the same maturity level as me. Well, I’m in college now and guess what? I’m still waiting.
But, because I haven’t found that mature man to keep me company yet, I regularly enjoy cuddling with my roommates and popping in a chick flick on a Friday night. Believe me, watching Patrick Dempsey waltz across the screen is much easier on the eyes than watching a drunken fraternity brother stumble across the dance floor. So, why is it that I haven’t found my own Dr. McDreamy yet? According to my favorite romantic comedies, I should have found my soul mate years ago.
It’s been said time and time again that modern romantic comedies have steered us girls wrong, providing numerous misconceptions about love and the perfect relationship,
and I believe they’re all true. I’m sick and tired of the same happy ending in every movie. Hollywood producers need to realize how unrealistic their portrayals of love really are.
In today’s day and age, the media controls our every thought and our every action. This medium has come to control our relationships as well. Teenage girls believe that their Prince Charming will come riding into math class on a gorgeous white horse, while in reality they’ll probably end up marrying the boy in the back of the room throwing spit balls. We can’t all be Reese Witherspoon in “Sweet Home Alabama” and meet our soul mates at the ripe age of ten.
Romantic comedies tell girls that true love will always find you, and a kiss on the beach in the rain will solve all of your problems. Well I hate to break it to you honey, but a real relationship requires some effort.
Most movies portray relationships as fairytales, complete with the storybook ending. Boy meets girl, girl falls in love with boy. The boy does something stupid, makes a huge romantic gesture and all is forgiven. The two live happily ever after.
In reality,
storybook endings really don’t happen all that often. Sure, you may be in a relationship with no flaws or maybe you have seen a perfect couple here and there, but it’s rare, so if you are one of those lucky people, congratulations to you. As for the rest of us, we need to fight for our men and the chance to consider ourselves half of a whole.
Take the movie, “He’s Just Not That Into You,” for example. One of the main characters, Gigi, is meant to act as the normal, desperate for love woman who overanalyzes every gesture made by the opposite sex. She is repeatedly turned down, left waiting in restaurants alone, and forced to spend many Saturday nights by herself. In the end, it’s her best friend that she falls in love with. This was one of the first movies I had seen in a very long time that correctly portrayed the dating process as it is in real life. First dates are always awkward, somebody in the relationship always screws up, and sometimes, he really just isn’t that into you.
While these romantic comedies always offer a great source of entertainment, they aren’t always meant to offer advice for the real world. I’m not trying to put forth any hard feelings towards love; I just don’t believe that I need to follow the advice given to me through the media. Don’t worry ladies, the right man will come along eventually, he just might not be on a gallant steed. And until that day comes, learn to enjoy your college years. We’re still young, let’s have some fun while we can.