SiOWfa16: Science in Our World: Certainty and Controversy

So, the temperatures are about to drop and the leaves will begin to fall. Layers and pumpkin spice lattes are a “thing”. The holidays well begin to roll through, bringing family, food, and fun. In the midst of all these fall festivities, so may still feel something missing in life. For many people it’s simple; a significant other. Someone to spend the holidays with, keep warm with, it’s almost natural. And that’s what brought this term to life; CUFFING SEASON.

Some people may ask what this even means, well for those who do not know, it has made its way into Urban Dictionary with a solid definition. It is also very prevalent in the Twitter community, where #CuffingSeason is an extremely popular hashtag. Everyone seems to long for someone to endure the next few months with, but why does this feeling decline in warmer months?

Summertime is naturally a feeling of freedom and fun. Who really wants to endure the stress of an obligation to another person? I feel as though in the summer most people go for more of a “no strings attached” kind of situation, as opposed to a “bae” in the fall and winter. But is there something literally “in the air” that causes these feelings? Or is it just in our heads? What exactly makes us believe that it is normal, even traditional to be in a relationship during the colder months? This link explores this idea further, showing if there is any real scientific connection. The article basically explores that there is no real scientific connection between the two, but more other factors. The holiday seasons, like I previously mentioned, weigh heavy on the influence for relationships. Most Americans like to bring significant others along for family events, and in many cases these are just for show. There are many instances where people have fell so much in love with the idea of having someone to show off to their families, that they often bring a person whom they’re not even in a relationship with. So is it a social status thing or a void that people feel the need to fill? Are we just using people so we do not feel alone in the cold weather? These are all essential questions in exploring “Cuffing Season”.

Another link takes a scientific stand in saying that there is an actual connection between the cold weather and this long for a significant other. Basically, coming from a non-science person, something in the cold air triggers something in the brain that makes people think of mating. If this is true it can easily explain why people tend not to long for relationships in warmer months. Could it actually be that the cold air makes us want to mate with another person? Does the cold deprive us of being happy alone? Could we only find happiness in another person during the cold months? Given that the summer has so many available pleasures, could the winter cause us to look for these pleasures in people instead? Why not just take a vacation? Very impractical as we come back to our lonely lives at home. It seems the only real solution for excitement is a person to ice skate with, take home for the holidays, cuddle up by the fireplace, all traditional things. Could this be a result of our society? Or is it truly scientific? These questions are very hard to answer.

So I’ve come to a final conclusion. “Cuffing Season” only exists if you believe it does. If you are anti-relationship 24/7, cuffing season certainly does not exist in your world. If you feel as though you need that special person during these cold winter winds, then you are a member of “Cuffing Season”, congratulations. And for those of you who will participate in this year’s “Cuffing Season” good luck. Just don’t ditch them as hard as Chris Brown did Rihanna in that meme when the winter breaks, LOL.