The Decline of Modern Relationships
The Decline of Modern Relationships
Dana Hillestad
Undergraduate/Print Journalism
While driving home this morning, after dropping my son at daycare, a thought came to me that I believe answers the question as to why modern romantic relationships have difficulty lasting. It dawned on me that the invention of center consoles in cars and bucket seats have created a separation in modern couples. The closeness felt by car owners, and their romantic partners, back in the early days of cars has been literally divided by the need for convenience in today's cars.
My father has always had a love for classic cars, so growing up I was blessed to experience the openness of bench seats. The romance we have for cars has also diminished to a certain degree with the conveniences added to cars. Think back to movies of old when America loved their cars and their spouses/families. American Graffiti is a prime example of the love of cars in a direct link to love between people. All the cars allowed the driver and passenger to cuddle close, with nothing between them but their clothing. Romance could be shared by a girl simply placing her hand on the knee of the boy driving; setting the fuel of passion aflame. Now, the closest couples can be whilst driving/riding in a car is (depending on make and model of the car, of course) is five to eight inches.
While many may argue other reasons cause the demise of relationships today, it is easy to see that the simple physical separation bucket seats and consoles cause are an extremely plausible catalyst to the emotional separation that tends to follow. If only automakers realized they could save hundreds of families from divorce and estrangement by simply reinstating the comfort and intimacy of a bench seat, maybe Americans could trade the closeness of their coffee for renewed passion in their lives.
In the words of Chuck Berry in his song, "No Particular Place,"
"Riding along in my automobile,
my baby beside me at the wheel,
I stole a kiss at the turn of a mile...
and she leaned and whispered in my ear,
cuddlin' more and drivin' slow,
with no particular place to go"
It's time for us to try to live for love, not convenience. Who's with me???