Recently, I went shopping with a close friend to catch up. A lot of items caught my eye during that afternoon of shopping, but there was one piece of jewelry that kept me thinking all day. My friend and I ventured into Charlotte Russe since they seemed to have some decent sales going on.
While we were waiting in line at the cash register, I saw a stretchy ring that had a word attached to it. It said “Taken” in all capital letters. I showed it to my friend, and we spent a minute talking and laughing about how silly it was to wear something like that. I didn’t think much of it after leaving the store. However, it was when I saw several other pieces of jewelry with the same word spread across it that I started to subtly obsess over it.
But what does this all mean — are we really these relationship-obsessed people? Has the “relationship status” on our social networking sites put a brand on our outward appearance?
Tell us what you think in the comments below!
Gina is a 22 year old college student in Maryland, majoring in Journalism and Psychology. She has a complete obsession with all things animal print and Taylor Swift. After graduation in 2013, she plans to pursue a career in writing about health, entertainment or psychology.
Gina Oursler has 13 post(s) on Love Twenty
v2 cigs starter kits
5 comments
Ilana says:
Mar 1, 2012
Women today definitely take pride in being “taken” and because things like are relationship statuses are so public now it’s become sort of a popularity contest and competition – if you’re take and in a relationship you seem to be having a better time on the surface (from what people can see of you on Facebook) than someone “Single.” This is a really interesting topic – good debate topic for me and my girlfriends! I think we should start wearing rings that say “MYSELF” or “INDEPENDANT.”
Gina Oursler says:
Mar 1, 2012
Exactly! If there are rings that say taken on them, it’s almost a slap in the face to single people who want to be in a relationship.
Nicole says:
Mar 3, 2012
I find it is interesting because the only physical symbolism our society has of relationship status are engagement rings and wedding bands. Social networking sites such as Facebook make it easy to share with the world your relationship status. I am going to assert that for many people, even the status brand does not keep them from keeping their options open. We live in a society that is consumed by impermanence and infidelity. People like to have options. But what about the people who are not ready to be engaged or married but are seriously committed to their partner? While I find this specific accessory to be a gaudy display, what is wrong wanting to display a symbol of your relationship? Or lack of relationship?
Crush Cocktail: A Spicy Concoction of our Favorite Links! | The College Crush says:
Mar 7, 2012
[...] {Facebook dictates our lives, it even gives us the OK to say you’re in a relationship. But how much does our status define us? LoveTwenty ponders the [...]
Why no Yay?!? « s1ngal says:
Oct 30, 2012
[...] Okay a little background to my friend’s relationship. Yes, she’s been going out with this guy for ages like EIGHT years. When she breaks up with the guy, he comes running to her – wailing and whining to be taken back. Then, one fine day, as if answering to my un-prayed prayers – HE broke up with her. I knew it was the end of it all. I almost rejoiced until I saw her crying. HUH! They’d drifted apart like…. like… ummm like… okay imagine the worst *drifting apart* scenario. That’s when she went running to HIM – wailing and whining. “Ewwwww” my exact emotion when she ran into his crossed arms [or whatever's the opposite of "arms wide open"]. they’ve BEEN there and DONE all that. IMAGE SOURCE [...]