An Argument Against Valentine’s Day

By Brayden Marchak

Opinions Journalist

It’s believed that Valentine’s Day was instituted by Pope Gelasius as a day of remembrance for Saint Valentine, a priest who helped Christian couples marry in secret to spare men from the military draft. Hearts, the symbol of Valentine’s Day, possibly originated from Saint Valentine allegedly cutting out paper hearts for married couples to remind them of their vows and God’s love. Although Saint Valentine was imprisoned and killed for his actions by the Roman Emperor Claudius II Glothicus on the 14th of February in the year 269, his legacy lives on in the holiday.

Valentine's Day has a controversial reputation as a consumerist holiday. Though individuals may use the day to celebrate love, corporations use Valentine’s Day to sell consumer goods. Instead of a day of consumerism, Valentine's Day should remain as a day dedicated to love. On Valentine's Day, people feel the need to make the day special for their loved ones by spending lots of money on gifts, flowers, candies, and other unnecessary purchases which can hurt them financially. Considering the cost of living is near an all-time high, people must save money by cutting back on unnecessary expenses, which Valentine's Day does not make easy. 

Common traditions associated with the holiday have stereotyped what love looks like: excessive gift-giving and going over the top for your partner in every way imaginable. In reality, love is not based on how many gifts you can get for someone, or how much affection you show. The way someone shows their love should differ to reflect people’s ideals and dynamics. 

While some see Valentine's Day as a day for celebration and romance, those not in relationships may not feel the same way. Those not in happy relationships may feel a sense of loneliness or isolation. Not only that, but people whose lovers have passed away may also experience feelings of grief on the holiday. Valentine's Day brings more sadness than it does joy.