In this modern-day, relationship dynamics are quite different. People are evolving, becoming more self-aware, communicating their feelings, and are more open to healthier relationships.
Consent refers to the voluntary acceptance of a proposal or the desires of another person. Although consent covers various areas and issues, consent in sexual relationships, and contexts is one of the most talked-about aspects because it is very important.
Modern dating differs greatly from how conventional relationships used to be. Now, social media like Tinder, Bumble, etc, allows you to connect and meet people online, intending to date them. There are many advantages to this, at the same time, modern dating comes with a lot of uncertainties.
Hence, in this article, I would highlight important and key concepts around consent in modern dating.
1. Communication.
Consent is 100% about communication. This involves all kinds of communication, verbal and non-verbal, etc. you must ask your partner questions before, during, and after sexual activities to ensure that both of you are on the same page and that they don’t feel uncomfortable in any way.
2. Define the terms of your relationships.
There are many types of relationships, monogamous, polygamous, open relationships, you name it. Thanks to modern dating, people are free to openly express the kinds of relationships they enjoy without fear of judgment. However, you must inform the party or parties in your relationship and ask for their consent. For example, if you have multiple sexual partners, you must let them know so they are aware of all the risks, and have full disclosure of what they are getting into.
3. Consent won’t always be affirmative.
The problem I have noticed amongst people in relationships is that they have a very vague idea about consent. People often expect that consent will always be affirmatory, so they are okay with seeking consent as long as the answer is yes, but that’s inconsistent with the idea of consent itself. You need to be comfortable seeking consent, even when the answer is no. That way, you respect the other party’s desires.
4. Understanding boundaries.
Establishing boundaries is a concept many people are embracing now, and it’s important to set boundaries in every relationship to help parties hold up to their end of the bargain easily. Now, as easy as it is to set boundaries, many people find it quite hard to stick to boundaries and respect them. If you and your partner(s) set boundaries, you must try as much as possible to respect them too.
Consent, romantic relationships, friendships, and literally everything in the world requires communication. Absolutely nothing should take the place of effective communication in your relationship, especially when consent is involved. Always ask questions and take feedback from your partner or partners.
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