Childhood sweetheart
Encyclopedia
Childhood sweetheart is a reciprocating phrase for a relationship (but not a partnership
)
between young persons, traditionally of the opposite sex (girlfriend
/ boyfriend
) occurring in their formative years
(school age). This may come about by an extension of friendship
, physical attraction or develop from natural affinity.
The relationship is usually platonic
and lasts a short
to medium period of time. This experience forms the basis of subsequent future relationships later in childhood
and/or adulthood.
Usually, an individual will have up to only one childhood sweetheart as this term is indicative of a milestone in
the growth, development and maturity of a young person. In ideal circumstances, the term applies mutually
to both parties and corresponds both ways, hence the plural being childhood sweethearts.
The relationship may involve romantic love
or may be an extension of a
close friendship
. Often, intimacy
by way of kiss
ing will occur in order to
show affection. This is in addition to hugging / cuddling, holding hands
, etc. The term first love may also apply
in certain situations.
Occasionally in later years, these friendships are 'rekindled' following
separations or passing of their adult partners which lead to a later life marriage
,
union etc. These instances are notable as they are made popular by media coverage.
Domestic partnership
A domestic partnership is a legal or personal relationship between two individuals who live together and share a common domestic life but are neither joined by marriage nor a civil union...
)
between young persons, traditionally of the opposite sex (girlfriend
Girlfriend
Girlfriend is a term that can refer to either a female partner in a non-marital romantic relationship or a female non-romantic friend that is closer than other friends....
/ boyfriend
Boyfriend
A boyfriend is a person's regular male companion in a romantic or sexual relationship, although normally not in long-term committed relationships, where other titles A boyfriend is a person's regular male companion in a romantic or sexual relationship, although normally not in long-term committed...
) occurring in their formative years
(school age). This may come about by an extension of friendship
Friendship
Friendship is a form of interpersonal relationship generally considered to be closer than association, although there is a range of degrees of intimacy in both friendships and associations. Friendship and association are often thought of as spanning across the same continuum...
, physical attraction or develop from natural affinity.
The relationship is usually platonic
Platonic love
Platonic love is a chaste and strong type of love that is non-sexual.-Amor Platonicus:The term amor platonicus was coined as early as the 15th century by the Florentine scholar Marsilio Ficino. Platonic love in this original sense of the term is examined in Plato's dialogue the Symposium, which has...
and lasts a short
to medium period of time. This experience forms the basis of subsequent future relationships later in childhood
Childhood
Childhood is the age span ranging from birth to adolescence. In developmental psychology, childhood is divided up into the developmental stages of toddlerhood , early childhood , middle childhood , and adolescence .- Age ranges of childhood :The term childhood is non-specific and can imply a...
and/or adulthood.
Usually, an individual will have up to only one childhood sweetheart as this term is indicative of a milestone in
the growth, development and maturity of a young person. In ideal circumstances, the term applies mutually
to both parties and corresponds both ways, hence the plural being childhood sweethearts.
The relationship may involve romantic love
Romantic love
Romance is the pleasurable feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love.In the context of romantic love relationships, romance usually implies an expression of one's love, or one's deep emotional desires to connect with another person....
or may be an extension of a
close friendship
Friendship
Friendship is a form of interpersonal relationship generally considered to be closer than association, although there is a range of degrees of intimacy in both friendships and associations. Friendship and association are often thought of as spanning across the same continuum...
. Often, intimacy
Physical intimacy
Physical intimacy is sensual proximity or touching. It can be enjoyed by itself or be an expression of feelings which people have for one another...
by way of kiss
Kiss
A kiss is the act of pressing one's lips against the lips or other body parts of another person or of an object. Cultural connotations of kissing vary widely. Depending on the culture and context, a kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, affection, respect, greeting, friendship, and good...
ing will occur in order to
show affection. This is in addition to hugging / cuddling, holding hands
Holding hands
Holding hands is a form of physical intimacy involving two or more people. It may or may not be sexual.Whether friends hold hands depends on culture and gender: in the Western culture this is mainly done by women and small children , spouses and romantic couples...
, etc. The term first love may also apply
in certain situations.
Occasionally in later years, these friendships are 'rekindled' following
separations or passing of their adult partners which lead to a later life marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
,
union etc. These instances are notable as they are made popular by media coverage.