Definition Essay

Love
Love is an abstract concept that gives someone complete control of another’s emotions, and trusting them to be caring and devoted. It can lead to a wealth of different feelings, from a sexual passion to a platonic closeness; love is all around us, if we could understand the undeniable feeling then we could have a life full of happiness. Although the concept will always be up for debate, love can be defined as what each person believes it is.

There are many different types of emotions that are described as love; impersonal love is showing emotions toward a cause, object, country, principle or goal. Interpersonal love refers to love between human beings; this breaks into smaller categories including Erotic, Platonic, Familial and Romantic love. Eroticism describes a sexual desire for another person. The word Eroticism comes from the Greek God of Love, Eros or Cupid. Platonic love is considered as a deep spiritual connection between two individuals, there is no sexual connection involved. Familial love refers to a natural affection between individuals of the same family, whether it’s through a blood tie or through friendship. Lastly, Romantic love is a feeling of excitement and expression of one’s deep emotional desires to connect with another; sometimes including love, sometimes not.

Scientifically, there are many factors that are attributed to love. The chemicals that neuroscientists have found to be present in the brain during the many stages of what they call “mating” include Testosterone, Estrogen, Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, and vasopressin. Adequate levels of testosterone are said to be important for both male and female sexual behavior. Dopamine, Serotonin and Norepinephrine are said to be more commonly found in the attraction phase of love. Lastly, Vasopressin and Oxytocin are more commonly found in the bonding phase where attachment is present. The conventional way of thinking in biology seems to be that there are two kinds of love, sexual attraction and attachment. Attachment can be between two adults just as a baby has an attachment to their mother. Lastly, the chemical Serotonin that is found in the brain when someone is in love, also is found in obsessive compulsive patients, which explains why the person in love doesn’t think about anyone else in that way.

Although love can be a wonderful thing that changes your life forever, it can lead to very dangerous behavior. Millions of teens each year are victims of sexual, emotional and physical abuse in their relationships, some even lead to death. The famous play by Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, creates the image of dying for ones love as a romantic fantasy. However, it’s more like a nightmare in real life. There are thousands of organizations and shelters for victims of dating violence; however most are too ashamed to make the effort to change. Love can create cloudiness in one’s perception; but if you keep your eyes open, you can fly.

Love cannot be figured out or avoided, it is a concept that will always be up for debate and ridiculed. Couples will always disagree, argue and make up. However, their bond will become stronger with the challenges that they are tested. Love is always around us; after understanding the undeniable feeling, maybe we can have a lifetime full of happiness.