Uncensored meaning of Valentine's Day

Women just want to celebrate day

On Valentine's Day, the stereotypical woman is sitting at home, anxiously awaiting the arrival of a flower bouquet or box of chocolates — a symbol to the world, and herself — that she is cared about. To this woman, Valentine's Day is a day to be spoiled by your Valentine with tokens of love.

"There are strong messages in our media and culture, which you can see simply from commercials around Valentine's Day, that men are expected to woo women by spending money [on diamonds, dinners, and flowers], and that women will respond with their affection," said Christine Robinson, sociology of gender professor.

While there are women who think Valentine's Day is about superficial tokens, many women believe it is about more than having a Valentine.

To some women, Valentine's Day is a special day set aside to celebrate love and romance. To them, it is a reminder to express yourself to loved ones, according to the findings of a student survey by human sexuality professor Maria Wessel.

She said, regardless of their relationship status, these women want to celebrate the day. If they don't have a partner to spend the day with, they may feel upset, or choose to celebrate with family or friends.

Traditional gender roles in our society may be responsible for these reactions, according to Wessel. She said women may value Valentine's Day because "the traditional expectation is for women to be nurturing and the caretakers of the home and its traditions such as holidays.

"They are allowed — and even expected — to be sentimental," Wessel said. So, women may feel they have to value and celebrate the holiday, even when they otherwise might not.

Some women have more cynical reactions to Valentine's Day. They feel that it is a "corporate holiday" designed by greeting card companies to make a profit. These women say you should express your love all year long, not just on one day.

This reaction to Valentine's Day may be related to how it is celebrated. Most holidays, like Christmas or Independence Day, have two parts — their true religious or historical significance and their commercially influenced side. But, since Valentine's Day no longer is celebrated religiously, one must conclude the latter is afoot.

This upsets some women because it makes money the lone way to express love. Love is a serious emotion that all people, not just women, value. No one wants their emotions exploited, especially not for a profit.

In the end, both of these reactions point to the same theme — love. Women want Valentine's Day to be a day when people celebrate love and relationships in a way that is unspoiled by commercialization.

So, men, when planning your celebrations this year, keep something in mind — we women are not as superficial as we may seem. It's not about the jewelry and candy and cards — and we don't want it to be. In the end, all women need is some love.