Long-distance relationship
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A long-distance relationship (LDR) is typically an intimate relationship that takes place when the partners are separated by a considerable distance.
In 2005, according to The Center for the Study of Long Distance Relationships, an estimated 2.9% of US marriages were considered long-distance, with 1 in 10 marriages reported to have included a period at long distance within the first 3 years. This means that in 2005 approximately 3.5 million people in the US alone were involved in long-distance marriages. It is harder to know how many non-married couples are in a long-distance relationship but according to The Center for the Study of Long Distance Relationships there was an estimated 4 to 4.5 million college couples in the US which were in non-marital LDRs.[1]
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[edit] Long-distance relationships in college
Between 25–40% of all romantic relationships among students attending colleges across the US are long distance.[citation needed] This could be from many different factors:
- Both partners attending a different university or institution.
- One partner leaving for school, while the other stays in the hometown.
- Meeting at a university and going to separate hometowns for summer/semester breaks.
- One partner being in the military.
- Meeting online through a dating website.
Three major components of a successful relationship while in college:[2]
- Establish trust: to ease the fear of one's significant other finding someone else.
- Make time for each other: with different schedules it's important to make conversations interesting, making it seem like both partners are not far apart from each other.
- Be thoughtful: Showing compassion to partner that isn't around.
[edit] Ways to stay connected
Before the popularity of Internet dating, long-distance relationships were not as common, as the primary forms of communication between the lovers usually involved either telephone conversations or corresponding via mail. However, with the advent of the Internet, long-distance relationships have exploded in popularity as they become less challenging to sustain with the use of modern technology. Technologies including cell phones, e-mail, online chatting and video conferencing have made it possible to keep in touch. Other forms of communication frequently employed by partners in long-distance relationships include:
- Letters
- Text messaging
- VoIP programs
- Social networking websites
- Shared online activities (e.g., online games such as MMORPGs)
- Shared offline activities (e.g., watching the same movie while talking on the phone and listening to the same songs on radio at same time while talking on phone)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] Bibliography
- Chris Bell, Kate Brauer-Bell, The Long-Distance Relationship Survival Guide (New York: Ten Speed Press, 2006)
- Seetha Narayan, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Long-Distance Relationships (Alpha Books: 2005)
