Maybe a sign of things to come... Society become more open and accepting?

[Dan And Jennifer]

Dan here; minor rant alert. Saw an interesting thing when singing up to the Orkut social networking site... something that I found downright heartwarming.

Can you spot anything interesting in the "Relationship Status" drop down box below?

How about this one? The YouTube profile edit screen...

Yes, it's a realistic drop down of relationship options. In their elegant simplicity, these forms don't tell you what type of relationship you should to have in order for it to "count as a relationship". They do what forms should do - they just ask. They ask if you are single, if you're in a committed relationship, or if you've chosen to partake in a marriage ceremony.

Is it possible for a form to be judgmental? Of course not. But it's definitely possible for the people designing and approving those forms to be judgmental, and to push their personal ideals (a.k.a. "agenda").

Remember the various government or insurance or whatever standard forms we've all filled out year after year, where you have to pick between "single", "married" and "divorced"? Seriously, "divorced"?

And unless your union happens to be blessed by one man's church, it somehow has less meaning and value than an equally (or even more) committed and loving union that has the Church, Inc. seal of approval?

For years I filled out those forms, and I always felt dishonest choosing"single" while in a completely committed, loving, long term relationship.

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with marriage, if the two of you are so inclined... and you're free to pursue the marriage ceremony of your choice, regardless of what culture / religion it comes from. Because it's a personal choice you are making, and conversely, other have the freedom to choose to not partake.

As I see it, this comes down to respecting one another's personal choices and not trying to force our own personal ideas on everyone else.

Many will not see it that way, and their reasons will often begin with "it says here in the latest interpretation of X testament that you're going to Hell if you do that"... and if that is their belief and their choice, that's ok, they just don't get to impose that belief and those "morals" on others.

Perhaps it's a sign of the times, a ray of hope that at least the younger generation has less baggage, is less judgmental, and frankly much wiser in that respect than those before us.

Thoughts?

Dan