by Kasey Endsley

Created on: December 03, 2008

Online dating has become as normal as relationships maintained by people who live close to each other. Though many see this as taboo and fake, what truly defines a couple? A mental bond shared between two people coupled with physical attraction is the basis of a relationship. Is this not represented in an online relationship? Though the relationship may be sad, sick, and twisted, is it still in all technicality a relationship.

HOW IT STARTS

With the Internet having become as huge as it is today, nearly every household has a computer. You can meet friends and potential mates online through natural means, such as chat rooms, Myspaceor other networking sites, or even online games. People can also sign up on a dating site, such as match.com or eharmony.com, where they will be matched with others who are listed and share the same interests. Establishing a connection over a keyboard is easier than speaking in real life; you have time to think you're sentences through and get you point across exactly as you want it to be, and your expression or demeanor can't alter your new found friend's opinion of you. (After all, when speaking to someone in real life, body language is more effective and recognized than the words used to convey a message.)

THE PROS

The pros to having an Internet relationship are that a partner can hide unwanted information from their 'significant other'. Keep in mind, the other person probably can, and will, hide information as well. The relationship with them won't get in the way of other plans or outings, unless someone insists on staying on their computer or phone with them all day. All the same, if the two are faithful to each other have have formed a true, loving relationship, maybe one day they will meet each other in real life, and a beautiful life will be had.

THE CONS

The first con that I've already addressed is the fact that a relationship with someone you cannot really know is shoddy. Are they telling the truth? Maybe. Are they staying faithful? Maybe. But probably not. Sex will definitely become an issue as time passes. Every human, male or female, feels the need to mate, or at least get a little stimulation, as in kissing. People will quickly get tired abstaining from any physical contact. Then again, what if you come to meet this person, and find them not to be what you expected? What if they're a different person entirely, concerned ONLY with sex? And worst, what if you end up beaten and raped? The cons are far grater than the pros in this situation.

Relationships can and do happen over the internet, some strong, some weak. Only a few turn out to last. It's a risk, but a risk many are willing to - and have every right to - take.

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