Who has Influenced my Perceptions of Romance and Relationships

Unfortunately, I grew up with parents who were not very affectionate toward each other growing up. For this reason (sadly), the media (movies, TV) have influenced my perceptions of romance and relationships. I learned very quickly with my first boyfriend that this is not the way things truly are. Men and women have very different perceptions of romance and relationships from my experience. I expected commitment, sweetness, understanding and romance in my relationships. A majority of the young men I dated growing up had a different idea. They expected a lot of physicality, freedom from commitment, and little emotional input when it came to romance. I think men grow up seeing the sweet things they can do for women from the media. When a boyfriend of mine would bring me a rose, or buy me a necklace or tell me I’m the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen, it was usually a method of making up after a fight or trying to get some more of the physical aspect of the relationship out of me. I would also realize how cliché these romantic gestures were. I would think “haven’t I seen this in a Nicholas Sparks movie?” My perceptions of romance and relationships have changed solely on experience. I was shaped by the media, but experience made my expectations different from those early expectations. I think some people are influenced by their parents on how a relationship would be, but I think one would only take that perception as true if it were a seemingly happy marriage.