While there are those who send flowers, buy chocolates, and go on dates with their loved ones on Valentine’s Day, many remain alone, wondering why this is a real holiday. Most people around the world are left without someone to love on February 14th, thus leaving a lot of people without something to celebrate. Valentine’s Day is celebrated by being romantic towards your partner and loving them, but there is no point in celebrating when you have no one to celebrate with. This is why Valentine’s Day should no longer be a holiday or celebrated around the world. Valentine’s Day leaves many feeling left out or lonely all while those who are able to participate just get to experience something they can do anytime with their partner. Those who feel the need to celebrate this holiday can take their loved one out on a date any day during the year. Simply because this is a major holiday people will post on Instagram or Snapchat to show their celebration when, in reality, it causes most people to feel lonely and it should not be a celebration to be romantic towards your partner for just one day because it should happen daily.
Leading up to February 14th, social media and business are a constant reminder of the upcoming day. Food companies such as M&M’s, Reese’s, Chick-Fil-A all promote this holiday by releasing Valentine’s Day themed items. Snapchat releases filters for their coupled users to try out and Instagram becomes a love filled platform. Even grocery stores such as Kroger put out flowers for participants all around the store so that those left out can be reminded again of this holiday they are unable to be involved in. Effects of the constant bombardment can be very serious for those not able to celebrate. Valentine’s Day causes FOMO (fear of missing out) for many which leads to negative consequences such as depression and even suicide. Depression levels from those feeling unloved on this day causes a spike in suicide rates on surrounding days around Valentine’s. These serious consequences are not worth the Instagram post or must have date night for your loved ones when you and your partner are allowed to be romantic everyday instead of a bombardment from everyone on a single day. Seeing these portrayals of what seems to be happy couples, even when it might not be the case, causes the viewers to want the happy couple they are shown.
Despite these couples being seemingly happy, they might not always be. This leads to those getting into a relationship to what they are shown having a false image of what a relationship should truly be. This might cause them to have false expectations and be ultimately let down when reality hits causing a drop in self-confidence. Not being able to achieve this perfect couple portrayed on Valentine’s Day makes one to feel as if they are doing something wrong or aren’t good enough, dropping their self esteem and confidence.
Overall, Valentine’s Day may be an exciting holiday for some and a reason to be romantic with their partner, it has negative effects on many. These effects outweigh those who are able to celebrate this holiday and thus should lead to the banning of the holiday altogether.