Facebook vs. Your Relationship

As a former Facebook junkie, I can relate to the millions of people who remain fixated on the oober-popular yet obnoxious social network. However, when in a relationship, such a network can have devastating effects and even put an end to the most committed of couples. So if you are one of the people who Facebook stalk and even check status updates on the reg...listen closely!!

One could argue that jealousy is the root of all evil when talking about problems in a relationship. As true as this may be, the chances of one of the participants in the game called a relationship not being jealous at some point or another is slim to none. So now that we've accepted that jealousy is an annoying yet natural part of a romantic union, we can effectively move on to why Facebook has clearly become a problem.

Whether it's a wall post, instant message, message or even a poke, Facebook provides ample opportunity for connections and more importantly flirting with the opposite sex. The very point of a social network is to get as connected as possible within your particular network area, and that is not limited to same sex connections. Sure you have the people who have the "In a relationship with _____" tag, but more often than not the people who are really in a relationship delete the relationship status option all together. If you have to ask why this is, then you should probably stop reading this and go pick up a "Magic Eye" or "Where's Waldo" to consume your time.

When in a relationship with someone, the last thing you want to think about is former flames or hook-ups. Even something as harmless as a friend from work of the opposite sex being added as a friend or writing on your partners wall can create unnecessary conflict. Regardless of what "trusting" people may say, such a connection or action will cause jealous thoughts to cloud the mind. But, the question is why, knowing what Facebook does to our own relationships, do we continue to be obsessed with such a network?

The problems with relationships and Facebook are clear and plentiful, but there is a solution to the problem. Get off one or the other!!! If you're in a relationship and still fixated on Facebook and have a desire to either flirt with new friends or keep in touch with an old flame, odds are you aren't really ready to be in a relationship. However, if you are one of the few young people who are mature enough to handle an adult relationship, then cut the bullshit and stop being a Facebook stalker or addict. Don't even get me started on Mob Wars or Farmville, because such a topic would cause a rant comparable to none.

So even though I support such networks as hobbies, I don't think its the best atmosphere in which to participate in a sincere committed relationship. Do you have to choose between one or the other?! Of course not! But you are going to have to decide either to brush off those jealous thoughts that often consume us, or accept the fact that your significant other will occasionally "facebook flirt" with an old flame or new friend...