Post-Election 2020: What Next?

So far, 2020 has been a very interesting year. Starting off with country-wide fires, then a terrible global pandemic, then, most recently in this month of November, one of the most critical presidential elections in quite some time, 2020 has seen its fair share of conflict. In the midst of one of the most trying health-related situations the world has seen, one that has killed over 250,000 Americans and over 1.3 million worldwide, strong leadership in the White House is absolutely necessary. Our country seemed to confirm this, as the 2020 presidential election had the most voters in the history of the United States.

The votes were counted and, according to several different news sources, the numbers pointed to Joe Biden as the new President-elect. But, what next? For this country to work at its full potential, all of us have to be united as citizens. There is no way to please every person, but as long as we know that our leader is going to do the best they can to work for the betterment of our country, political parties can be overlooked.

However, this doesn’t mean that we have to agree with everything the winner of an election says. Those who wish to oppose a sitting President or particular policies can still fight for change because democracy works best when everyone is participating. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” But right now, with a transition of power about to occur, the best thing to do is accept the results and find ways to work for positive change. Losing an election is a very difficult thing to process, for the candidates themselves and the people who support them. It’s difficult to accept the results when you see a person in a leadership role fail to accept it him- or herself. When the next President is sworn into office, hopefully everyone can have an open mind in order for the country to be in the best position possible for new ideas and policies to work.

Modern Love

“Swiping right,” “sliding into DMs,” and getting a “snap back” are just a few of the terms that are becoming more and more mainstream when it comes to modern dating. The face of dating has drastically changed in the 21st century, and, among high school and college students, especially, as well as those in their twenties, a serious committed relationship has become increasingly rare. This evolution in finding a partner seems to be directly correlated with the evolution in technology. As technology usage increases, so, too, does a new culture of fleeting crushes and short-lived love stories. Such a culture produces many desirable and some not-so-desirable outcomes which all contribute to the changed atmosphere when it comes to navigating the dating world.

If you asked any college student whether or not they had a dating app on their phone, chances are their answer would be ‘yes.’ There are currently 57 million users on the popular app, Tinder, alone, the majority being singles ages 18-24. Tinder, amongst other dating apps, has largely contributed to the recent changes that have occurred in the dating world. These apps have made finding a partner increasingly “simple” and quick, arguably too simple and quick. While the convenience of swiping right and instantly getting matched with someone who shares interests is undeniable, it also could have potentially dire results.

Setting up a date becomes nearly effortless, reduced to just a few instant messages, in which neither party necessarily has to “talk,” potentially creating the temptation to set up multiple dates at once. This means that relationships resulting from matches on dating apps are often destined for disaster from the start. In addition, these apps are often cause for competition between friend groups. This turns an app initially designed to help those who are lonely meet new people, into just another trendy, social media fad. Many users who were hoping for a real connection are then left disappointed when they learn their date did not have the same intentions. As this becomes more and more common, young people have grown desensitized to the pain that accompanies being stood up and used, another tragic side effect of the new phenomenon known as “hookup culture.”

“Hookup culture” attempts to normalize short flings “for fun” and posits never really settling down into a serious relationship as desirable. These trends have become increasingly popular in recent years, fueled by social media and dating apps, which arguably highlight the physical and exterior, over deeper, lasting connections built on genuine character. Formally asking someone out on a first date to a dinner or a movie has become rare, as more and more relationships begin with a direct message asking “to chill.” This adds a sense of casualness and informality to dating and many relationships never manage to make it beyond a few hangouts. More often than not, within these short-lived relationships, one person tends to get more attached than the other, giving way to another new phenomenon known as “ghosting.” “Ghosting” is when a young relationship between two people is seemingly going well, until one person goes radio-silent, leaving the other to wonder where they went wrong. If you rarely have to talk or extend effort to even kickstart the “dating” process, it’s no wonder finding an escape route is easily as convenient.

This new culture leaves many alone and wishing for more, but it has also taught some to thrive on their own. Many are choosing to live an independent life fueled by self-love and a tight-knit community of friends. This, combined with, or perhaps because of modern-day dating trends, could be at least partially responsible for the marriage rate clocking in at an all time low. These new apps are double-edged swords, as they also offer unique opportunities to meet new and interesting people, and, for a lucky few, still find real love. But there are also some very real downsides. The culture has left many young people with serious trust issues that have a lasting impact on both their mental health and any future relationships.

There are many pros and cons to these recent changes, but the reality is that dating will most likely never be the same. This leaves all young people with choices on how to navigate this intriguing and sometimes unforgiving world of dating apps and social media encounters. When trying to weigh the pros and cons of “hook-up culture,” the outcome on whether it is truly positive or negative will most likely vary from person to person. Some individuals appreciate the lack of seriousness and find greater happiness living independently, while others crave a long-term, lasting bond. This leaves all young people to ponder the question: what do I truly want when it comes to who I will spend my life with?