Madison Contreras and Caleb Kimbro

Writers

As the Season of Love is upon us, couples across the nation celebrate their relationship through various acts of affection.

Through multiple studies, these acts have been found to be life-altering and, in some cases, life-saving.

Explaining why our nation longs for a sense of affection, senior Melinda Whiteman described her ideal relationship.

“In our society, we crave attention and acceptance from one another,” said Whiteman. “We want to be able to have a bond with each other where we can feel safe, happy, and be ourselves without being judged.”

Despite studies proving the positive benefits from love, the number of citizens that do not have a founded relationship, romantic or other, is rapidly growing.

According to CNBC News, reports have shown that the amount of workers aged 18-22 who feel lonely, either a portion of or all of the time, has increased by 4%, reaching approximately 73%, in the past year.

Effects from being lonely can be similar to those of a person who smokes 15 cigarettes a day.

On the other hand, when an upright friendship is formed, a reduced risk of mortality or developing certain diseases is possible and the bond can speed up recoveries for those who have fallen ill, according to Health Resources and Services Administration.

Agreeing to the benefits affection can have, junior LeeAnne Riddle outlines her view on relationships.

“Love is important in today’s society because it helps people grow in their relationships,” said Riddle. “Love also helps build a community that focuses on benefiting fellow neighbors.”

Another study that proved the impact love holds was held in the beginning of the twentieth century.

Pediatrician Harry Bakwin and psychiatrist Harry Edelston studied death rates of infants placed in orphanages in the United States and United Kingdom.

At this time, around 100% of infants placed into orphanages died.

Due to Bakwin and Edelston’s research, it was found that these deaths were caused by lack of care and human touch.

Towards the end of the twentieth century, psychologist Ruth Feldman conducted research to show the positive effects of skin-to-skin touch for premature babies.

Human touch resulted in improvements related to mental development, neurological development and weight gain, and the effects were still at work after ten years, according to Medium.

Whatever form it comes in, love has carried its’ positive impact throughout the years.

Recounting how she has seen love work in students’ lives, senior English teacher Haley Wilson shares her angle on love.

“Not only do I want students to learn to think critically and be able to analyze literature but I also want them to find a better understanding of who they are, which means learning to love themselves,” said Wilson. “When students learn to love themselves due in part by reading literature and listening to the personal reactions and stories of fellow classmates, they can in return learn to respect the differences in others and show love and compassion for other people. Students also learn to support each other, to accept each other and to help each other through their daily tasks.”

While enjoying the company of close friends and family this holiday weekend, remember that acts of affection have lasting effects.

With the season of love upon us, it is important to know that love does not always come in a romantic form but the friends and family that surrounds you is what matters most.