THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS

The word relationship is common among individuals yet not well defined. Human beings can't survive in isolation, and that's why relationships are a pivotal part of human life. Isolation has side effects on humans because, naturally, humans are made as interdependent entities. From birth to growth, humans are social beings who depend on social interaction for survival.

A lot of theories explain the social nature of humans, one of which is Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. He identified relationships under the third level which is Love and Belongings. According to him, all the needs are in order and if one is not achieved, an individual can't move on to the next one. An in-depth study of this hierarchy reveals that even the first two levels can only be achieved through interactions with man.

The first level, which is Physiological needs like food and shelter, no man can provide on his or her own table without relating with people. This is dependent on humans to achieve the first level, and also includes all other needs like shelter, sex, and clothing. Stating the importance of relationships and how humans can't do without them, it is essential to point out what humans receive from relationships. 

Emotional support. 

Every human has emotions, even those without emotional looks, and that doesn’t break down; in fact, that's another way of expressing emotions. Emotional support is the act of showing care, love, empathy, and compassion to someone or people. The act of being there when an individual needs it. It could be verbal or non-verbal; emotional support can come in the form of a hug, or it could just be a need for you to listen to an individual, an act of reassurance that someone needs from another person. 

Emotional support can only come from a relationship with another person. It is quite difficult to give oneself emotional support in times of need, you always need someone to be there.

Self-belonging and Identity 

Self-belonging is basically the feeling of being accepted and being valued, while identity is a self-awareness which is shaped through relationships. Humans are able to achieve this through relationships. Humans want to be Valued by others, there is this acceptance that we all desire from other. This is not a problem, it's how humans are designed, we are designed to rely on one another.

This become a problem to humans when it is not resolved, when we can’t find where we belong and our self-awareness is not well defined. It becomes a burden, hence relationship is pivotal for humans. 

Personal development: 

Relationships have proven to aid growth of individuals and groups at large. Although, some relationships can be detrimental to individual growths but positive relationships enhance personal growth of individual.

It's important to discuss types of relationship noting the importance of relationships in individual's life. A relationship can be made with a wide range of people, including family and friends. The statement "being in a relationship," is mostly linked with romantic relationships, bit it is not limited to that, it can be linked to various associations one person has with another. Being in a relationship doesn't always mean there is physical intimacy or romantic attachment. People engage in many different types of relationships that have unique characteristics.

Types of relationship 

Family relationships

This is the relationship one has with parents, siblings, and extended family. Also, one’s secondary family, that is the family you build with your spouse. Each individual start their journey in life with a family, and the relationship here is very important as it helps mold other future relationships. Family relationships give emotional support, financial support. It shapes individual values and beliefs.

Friendship relationships 

This is a relationship formed with peers based on trust, bonds, common interest and mutual support. As individual grow up, we drift from the family and mix with the people in our environment. We can’t make friends with everyone with meet, but there are set of people we connect with based on shared interests, and trust. This relationship enhance social skills and self-esteem. Through friends, we can find opportunities and being able to gain more knowledge, and that's why we have the emphasis of NETWORKING today. You network not only for business gain but also for knowledge, and social wellbeing. 

Romantic relationships 

This is the most common of all and the term “relationship” has been limited to romance by a couple of people. Romantic relationship is just a type of relationship and not the only relationship that exist. This type of relationship has to do with emotional or physical partnership between individuals. In this relationship, individual finds intimacy, love, Companionship, emotional support and responsibility. It's also important to engage in the right and positive romantic relationships as a negative one can have a mental effects on one.

Conclusively, It's important to know that relationship is a part of human being and as an individual, we are able to from relationships with wide range of people and all these relationships have their own importance. Family relationships can't replace romantic relationships and Vice versa. Human has not designed to grow in isolation, we form relationships to grow as an individual, to get support, to have emotional stability, for social skills and many more. All these things not achieve in an individual can lead a defects. Relationships are important and we must be deliberate about it.