Modern Commitment

The modern nightmare word in relationships, yet the definition holds both restrictive and liberative aspects to it:

• 1 the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.:the company's commitment to quality
• a pledge or undertaking:I cannot make such a commitment at the moment
• 2 (usually commitments) an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action:business commitmentsyoung people delay major commitments including marriage and children

The knee-jerk reaction to this word in modern relationships is to flee. The irony of relationship commitment is that a person who doesn't commit is looked down on, yet commitment is considered scary. This is quite a conundrum, and worth some cognitive dissonance. On a social level, commitment goes against the independent-minded ideology of the modern world. Yet what has such an attitude really helped in? Are people really better people for it?

Decidedly not. There's a growing trend of isolation in the modern world. Where people distance themselves from others, from their friends and family. Yet our society is surprised by the level of isolation we, as a collective culture, feel.

Going back to the definition of commitment: Dedication to a cause is very profound, and signifies a strength that isn't inherent in the second definition. dedication brings to mind inspirational images, such as knights in service to their lord. In contrast to a restriction of freedom, which brings to mind a typical marriage expression of 'ball and chain.'

So, how do these two definitions reconcile? That would depend on the individual, and how they handle cognitive dissonance. In our modern society. This traces back to the cultural influences. Since we live in a culture that prides independence and self-sufficiency over community, dissonance tends to favor the latter definition, not the former.