The Insensitivity of Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day just hit the corner in all parts of the world. Valentine’s Day is a day celebrated for love and romance and all that lovey-dovey stuff. However, this is only for those who have someone to share their love with. Those who can’t or won’t share their love and affection with another person may view this international holiday, something that many couples look forward to, as something they dread.

Just in America, according to a 2023 U.S. Census Bureau research, only 46.4% of people are single. 46.4% may be less than 50%, but if you look at it, this is 46.4% of the American population, meaning, this percentage is equivalent to around 117.6 million people.

According to Quora, only 45% of the world population is single in 2021 research. Again, this percentage might not seem much, but the amount of people is still considered to be a large amount. Data shows that 45% of the world's population is roughly estimated to be 3.54 billion people.

However, these percentages are only accounted for adults. This means that these high 40% are only single adults.

As children learn what Valentine’s Day truly is, and not a day to get chocolate and goodies from friends and family, they may find themselves feeling left out in this holiday. They may not have someone to share their affection with.

Now, people may be single for many reasons. They could be going through a hard time with the loss of a loved one. They may not find the right person quite yet. Or, they may just choose to be single because that is what they prefer.

Whatever the reason is for being alone on Valentine’s Day, couples showing affection to one another may make a single person feel bad. They may feel as if they have done something wrong since they cannot find a person to be their better half. Or, it might feel rather disgusting to some people who prefer not to show affection out in public.

All the love in the air can make one feel pressured, not only for single people but for those in a relationship, aromantic individuals, and closeted queer people. Single people may have to worry if they should be dating right now or if it is weird that they’re in a restaurant where everyone else is doubled up except them. Valentine’s Day is great when you're able to love someone, but not everyone has that privilege or even functions that way

On the other hand, Valentine’s Day may give off the pressure to show how much they love their significant other. Social media posts may show off celebrities buying their latest girlfriend a huge ice cream truck or renting out their lover’s favorite restaurant. Those who are in a relationship may feel the need to do something expensive or also express on social media that they are in a loving and committed relationship, although gifts may not be one's love language.

Valentine’s Day can also hurt the most when someone is going through a breakup or grieving over a loved one’s death. All the kissing and hugs that other people do won’t do them any good. All it does is show one what they are missing.

PDA (public displays of affection) increases during Valentine’s Day, but can’t you just do that in a private area? PDA can disrupt one’s piece of mind or distract another person- and not in a good way.

As finals and spring competitions are coming up, pressure comes up again as a problem. Those who are concentrating on tests or making sure they get their athlete assignments in may feel uncomfortable with all the people holding hands or making out in every corner they turn.

For all you single people out there, do not worry. As there is only one day for all the couples to come out, you, too, can flaunt how single you are on Singles’ Day. This day is celebrated internationally on November 11 this year and September 21 nationally, although it may differ depending on what calendar you are looking at. Singles Awareness Day is also celebrated on February 15.

So while all the couples come out and play, all the singles can keep in mind that there are three days that they can show off as much as the couples do on Valentine’s Day.