Assignment - What is Love?

Much of what occurs in marriages and families is described as love or the absence of love. We sometimes say that we are "in love" or are falling in love with someone. Since the word loveis also used to describe our feelings about things such as a certain kind of food ("I love chocolate ice cream.") or objects such as a car or a movie (e.g., "I loved the movie we saw last night."), people who study relationships have suggested that human love can take different forms or be one of several different types.

Consider the four different types of love outlined near the beginning of Chapter 6: storge, philia, eros, and agape. In an essay of 500-750 words, include the following:

1. Describe the relationships of at least two different couples you know who exemplify different types of love. (For example, one couple may have an eros type of love for each other while the other may have an agape type of love.)

2. Explain why you think each relationship you described is the type that you think it is. If you are married, have been married, or if you were to marry someone, do you, did you, or would you want your love for the other person to be of one or another of these types? Why?

Provide a minimum of three to five scholarly sources to support your analysis and conclusion.