There are many myths when it comes to casual/dating on websites and relationships/marriage. Let’s break down the walls of the top 20, and shed some light on the truth!
Myth 1 – All We Need is Love
The Beetles may have had their hearts in the right place when they sang this philosophy, but studies show that we all have our deal-breakers which make or break a relationship, no matter how much we love a person. A few of these include drug addiction, personality disorders, sexual preference, religious/political background, and immaturity.
Myth 2 – He/She Cheated Because They No Longer Love Me
Sometimes cheating can signal a partner has fallen out of love, but some individuals actually cheat to counter the feeling of falling for someone. These people are also known as Intimacy Phobics, and they casually roam from relationship to relationship due to the fear they have of commitment.
Myth 3 – One Night Stands Cause Loss of Respect for Each Other
While no one is going to say that a one night stand is a good way to start a relationship, most research points to the fact that it is the type of people who engage in this activity that propagate the rumors, more so than the one night stand itself.
Myth 4 – There’s Just More of Me to Love
Statistics show that most men and women prefer average size partners. In studies by Cornell University, 75 percent of men claim they would never date an oversized partner, while 60 percent of women felt the same. Interestingly, this same discrimination seems to pass onto anorexics and bulimics, causing researchers to wonder if it’s not perhaps natural selection (survival of the fittest) to blame for these attitudes.
Myth 5 – There’s No Such Thing as Too Picky
There is a very fine line between being “too picky” and compromising the reality of a relationship. It is a fable that there is a perfect mate for each of us. Science suggests that we can be perfectly happy with only 80 percent of our needs met.
Myth 6 – I Can Tell Everything I Need to Know from a First Date
You should never read too much into a first date, as there are too many variables that can skew a first impression, such as nervousness, circumstance, and fashion choice.
Myth 7 – I Can Change Him
Oh no you can’t. Most research suggests that what you see is what you get when it comes to most guys.
Myth 8 – It Doesn’t Matter What Anybody Else Says, I’m the Only One Who Really Knows Him/Her
When we are in love, chemicals in our brain put us into a natural high, which also clouds our perception. If too many people seem to be against someone you’re with, it is usually a good idea to at least consider what they’re saying, as they may be the only ones who are seeing the situation clearly.
Myth 9 – Porn Ruins Relationships
Statistics show that nearly all men engage in some amount of porn viewing, while nearly half of all women do. The truth is that porn can be healthy if viewed together in a committed relationship to illicit mood, curiosity, and express fantasies.
Myth 10 – I’ll Never Get Divorced
Only 10 percent of all people surveyed ever think they’ll get a divorce. However, no matter how confident they feel about their current relationship, nearly 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce.
Myth 11 – Living Together First, Strengthens Marriages
It is common belief that living together helps to iron out the wrinkles before marriage, however most research suggests living together actually increases the risk of divorce. It is not necessarily the living together that increases these odds, but the type of people who prefers to test the waters.
Myth 12 – Third Time’s a Charm
People with many failed marriages often believe the third time will be the charm. In truth, multiple divorce often signify a problem with the person’s approach to relationships. This explains why most second marriages have a 60 to 67 percent chance of failure, and most third attempts a 73 to 74 percent chance.
Myth 13 – Honesty is Always the Best Policy
While in general it is a good idea to be honest with your mate, there are times when honesty can become a toxic truth (“You look frumpy in that dress”). As long as a white lie is designed to protect the feelings of the individual being lied to, it is acceptable. It is when the lie is designed to protect your own interests, that it becomes questionable.
Myth 14 – Pickup Lines Never Work
Research suggests that pickup lines that are intellectual, humorous, and reflect a sincere compliment, actually work!
Myth 15 – You Can’t Love Two People At Once
While Psychological evidence suggests that it may be difficult to love two people of the same type, loving two opposing partners is actually quite easy to do. The mind is simply combining the complimentary portions of each personality, creating one ultimate perfect partner.
Myth 16 – Nothing Can Mend a Broken Heart
Science suggests that there are actually moderate cures to the pain of a broken heart, which includes pain killers (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc), talking with friends to release oxytocin (feel good chemical in the brain), and exercising to reduce the buildup of stress hormones and encourage the release of endorphins (another feel good chemical).
Myth 17 – All Men are All Cheaters
While the number of male cheaters in relationships has been found to be higher than women, research also suggests that it is the “dumber” of the species who engage in such behavior. In other words, the more intelligent a man is, the more he will value the idea of a monogamous relationship and remain faithful.
Myth 18 – Women are Biologically Inclined to Cheat Less
According to researcher, Satoshi Kanazawa, the mushroom shape of a man’s sexual organ suggests a historical unfaithfulness by women throughout time. Its shape is believed to have been adapted through evolutionary process to help scoop out the seed of other men, before depositing his own.
Myth 19 – Men Prefer Meek, Docile Women
Research suggests that men who prefer “weak” women are compensating for their own insecurities. The strong, self-sufficient, and confident man prefers a strong woman who challenges him.
Myth 20 – Women Love the Sensitive Man
Recent studies suggest that most women preferred masculine bad boys (square jaw, large nose, carefree attitude) for casual dating, and will only consider a sensitive man (small chin, raised eyebrows, caring) while searching for a lifetime partner.
Photo via qthomasbower
