Discussion on Internet Romance

By Mme Lynda Hull B.Com.

Firstly, let's put some rapid distance between Online Romance and Cyber-sex. Online romance often develops into long-term marriage and is founded on love, understanding and honesty, while cyber-sex is based on lust, greed and instant gratification. While Cyber-sex may play a part IN an Online Romance, it is certainly not a sound basis FOR an Online Romance.

The people we are trying to reach here are those people who have met (or want to meet) a person with which they hope to develop a lasting relationship. Hopefully, we can draw on the experience of other Online Romance Couples to provide the support, advice and encouragement that is sadly lacking in our community, due to lack of knowledge.

 Lack of knowledge can be a destructive weapon. Outsiders have been commonly known to verbally "doom" an Online Romance solely because of the medium used. Meeting via the internet is no different to meeting anywhere else. In fact, this medium can provide a safe haven in which Couples can open up to each other and develop strong relationships void of the pretence so common in our secular world. After all, people make relationships.

Honesty is the key to saving yourself from potential disaster further down the track. You can't be honest enough. Now is the time to admit to having those three kids, those extra kilo's and that pathetic salary.

Honesty breeds trust and trust is the foundational building block of any long-term romance. Trust does not mean "blind faith" and couples should take steps to ensure the validity of claims made by the other, especially in regards to marital status.