In our generation there is a trend that I've noticed boys and girls alike say. They mutter phrases such as, "he's so clingy", "she's so needy" or "she needs too much attention." But in all honesty, when did asking for attention become a bad thing? I've noticed this more often than not in young adult relationships. The more I hear it the more I question why this is even an issue. Are we really as young adults that selfish that we aren't capable of giving our significant other the attention that they deserve? Sure, it's not possible 100% of the time, or 24 hours a day, but people are not in relationships to feel alone or to question their worth. So my question is, when did attention become a bad thing? A burden? A chore instead of something that is expected?
I ask this question with a heavy heart. It's true the young adult years are full of selfishness and that is something that no one can really deny. As much as we don't want to believe it, in one way or another we are selfish during this time in our lives. But for good reason! There is no better time to find out who you are than your early 20's when you first experience living on your own, and that's an amazing thing. It's okay to be selfish when you're figuring out who you are, but does that mean that we are supposed to just put aside the people we love during this time in our lives? I would say no, but it seems that others in my generation disagree.
It is becoming far too easy with technology to ignore phone calls, texts or any type of communication that is instantaneous. I've been around so many people who choose to reply to their significant other later when it is convenient for them but ignore the fact that maybe they actually needed them. I feel as though the minute someone asks for attention more than the other person wants to give, they are automatically labeled as "clingy" or "needy". I don't believe that it's fair to automatically label someone, or treat your significant other any differently because they desire some sort of attention or affection that is typically given in a relationship?
It drives me crazy when I hear people in relationships say "my boyfriend thinks I'm too needy", or "my girlfriend thinks I'm too clingy". I think as a generation we need to stop using these types of words to describe the people that A) we are supposed to love, and B) acting like this is a negative thing when this is something that should be expected of each partner in the relationship. After all, what's the point of being in the relationship if you aren't getting the attention you need?
