Dawn Freeman
Vanessa Martin
English 121
January 31, 2012
The Difference Between Love and Infatuation
Love and infatuation are intense emotions that are sometimes confused because of there similarities in how they make a person feel. Although a person may feel like they are in love they may actually be infatuated with the other person. These two emotions can at times cause great confusion if they are not recognized in the beginning of a relationship. Love: it is a word that is universal, with many meanings yet, the emotions that tie to the word are sometimes confused with feelings of infatuation. In order to know the difference between the two you must know the true definition of the word. Love is not only an emotion it is an act. When you love someone you make sacrifices without compensation. Forgiveness is given when asked, and you are always there for them when needed.
No one realizes; how a person is raised can have a lasting effect on how they define love, respect, and loyalty. From experience I have found that when a man has been taught to love with anger, he tends to implement those behaviors into his relationships. It could be with his mate or their children. It is very sad to not know how to love another person. It is devastating to know that you love someone who does not know how to love you, or is infatuated with you. Knowing what love is and how to love all depends on how you were taught to love.
Here is an example of two people that started a relationship without prior knowledge of what love meant to the other person: Chris was the youngest in his family. His brother Scott, was eight years older than him. their mother has been raising them on her own for eight years. Chris's father was already married when he met Chris's mother; they did not stay together. Chris and his brother had different fathers. Their mother never discussed their differences. Scott knew his father, Chris was told never to call his.