A Brief Defense

Many people just regard Valentine's Day as a bullshit holidy created by greedy greeting card moguls, or as a pounding into our heads of the reasons we should be in monogamous relationships and aren't right in the head if we don't engage in romantic love. These are valid arguments, but I would like to celebrate the day by playing devil's advocate a little.

Regarding the first point, as far as evil corporate industries go, I can't really think of a more benign one than the greeting card industry. They just want people with no creativity to be able to show their love! I mean, it's true that much worse industries (ie diamonds) have gotten on board, but as terrible as they are no one accuses them of thinking up holidays just to make more money. Let Hallmark have its day, I think we'll still be able to make it through as a society.

As far as the idea that Valentine's Day enforces the need for validation through romantic relationships, I think that it is not necessary to treat the holidy as such. Personally -- and I'm sure this is the case for most of you as well -- I grew up being expected to give valentines to everyone, for example, in my class. This is a pretty awesome message: you should love everyone. If you focus more love on your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/civil partner, that's ok, but the idea remains the same: a day to show your love. If you think of the day that way (and don't use it as an excuse to withhold love on other days), it ends up looking like a pretty bitchin' holiday, says I.