Since when did "Relationship" become "Ownership"?

@hartfire But does that make it right though?

@iMystery Not in my view.
But it depends a little on what one means by "ownership."
When we say "my" significant other - we generally mean the person we share the biggest part of our time with, the one we share our deepest selves with, to whom we turn for help if we need it and vice versa.
This doesn't imply the same rights of ownership as apply to land or objects.

If you're talking about jealousy or possessiveness - that's a very complex issue. Biologically, the more oxytocin a person has in their system, the more likely they are to feel bonded to their partner, to be monogamous, and to become upset if that monogamy is threatened.
But personality, beliefs, and social conventions also have a strong effect on what people believe is right.

@hartfire Now this kinda answer in a thread should be why Admins should make Best Answer available, not just at the very first comment, but further down in the threads as well!

@iMystery Thank you! :)

What is your view?
How do you reason it?

@hartfire I think a relationship is a partnership based on what is agreed upon regarding the expectations of each party involved... But must NOT be mistaken for owning that person...

One should be free to do as one pleases without having to get authorisation/permission from the other as if you are not your own person.

@iMystery I agree.
Assumptions are a recipe for disaster.
And trying to own or control someone is as damaging as attaching them to a chain or locking them in a prison.
No one has the chance to grow or be happy without choice, autonomy, and responsibility for their actions.
If this is not so, one has to wonder why the American Civil War was ever fought.

@hartfire Or even why we fought for freedom from Apartheid in South Africa...

@iMystery True, it's looking problematic over there. Are you in South Africa?
I'm in Australia.
I have faith that over time S.A. will recover and develop a good, healthy democracy.
It's just that thinking democratically is not easy if you haven't grown up with it from years dot, or if the original culture had none. Every country inherits its history, and that sends resonances down through centuries. The most secure changes are the ones that evolve.

@hartfire Yes I am in South Africa... and yeah things are a bit problematic over here...

I actually predict a civil war on the horizon in the Western Province between races as tensions are brewing... 👀

@iMystery Oh, hell that is scary!
Are you living near that area?

@hartfire I live in Western Cape, yes... Cape Town to be specific.

And I see and hear tensions building at ground level.

@iMystery Are there groups of people working to find solutions and create peace?

What plans do you have for keeping yourself and your loved ones safe?

@hartfire No the tensions seem to go ignored by officials...

And I cannot exactly reveal my own security plans out in the open lol.

But rest assured I will keep my loved ones safe.

I'm glad you will be okay,

but I'm [i]very[/i] sorry to hear that officials are ignoring the tensions.

If officials were paying attention, what would you consider to be the best strategy to meet the needs of the opposing groups?

@hartfire Fair and Equal treatment... but that is putting it generally... the matter is rather complicated.

@iMystery Does that mean that one tribal or social group is being favored over another, or one persecuted?

@hartfire Something to that effect yes.

@iMystery I can see that I'm going to have to look up the international news channels for South Africa.
We do get some S.A> news in Australia, but only on the biggest events.

I wish you well, iMystery.

@hartfire Lol yea usually only the big events get broadcasted internationally... the downside to that is that a very small picture gets painted of what is really happening over here and people get the wrong idea about what SA is really all about.

Just the other day I saw a post of a guy from the UK who decided to visit Cape Town and took a walk alone through what people who think to be a dodgy area, but he did that on purpose to see if SA is truly what outsiders make it out to be...

He was told that he would be shot at the moment he steps foot out of the airplane at the airport...

He proved that theory wrong by what he did and posted on Facebook that he did not even experience any kind of danger.

Just shows what bad image we have internationally.

I do have a friend here, who was born in South Africa of Greek descent. She went back recently to introduce her new husband to her family. They had a great time there and no problems. I will ask her to fill me in on the details of the news and social conditions. Her parents will know.

Thank you. :)

@hartfire Excellent! See? Its really not that bad over here lol.