The service of shaia{R}

 Types of Love

In general society, there are 6 types of love.  shaia will discuss these types but first perhaps we should look at the definition of love. 

Main Entry: love

(1): strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties (2) : attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers (3) : affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests 2 : warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion 3 a : the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration  b (1) : a beloved person : darling —often used as a term of endearment (2) British —used as an informal term of address
4 a : unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) : the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2) : brotherly concern for others b : a person's adoration of God
5 : a god or personification of love
6 : an amorous episode : love affair
7 : the sexual embrace : copulation
8 : a score of zero (as in tennis)
9 capitalized Christian Science : God

— at love : holding one's opponent scoreless in tennis

— in love : inspired by affection

Now that we have the definition, lets look at the types of love that exist. 

Eros – romantic, passionate, love.  In this type of relationship, love is life’s most important thing.

Ludus – is a game-playing or uncommitted love.  Lying is a part of the game.  A person who pursues ludic  love may have  many conquests but remains uncommitted.

Pragma – is a pragmatic, practical, mutually beneficial relationship.  It may be somewhat unromantic.  A person who leans towards this type of relationship may look for a partner at work or where the person is spending time.  Sex is likely to be seen as a technical matter needed for producing children, if they desire.

Mania – is an obsessive or possessive love, jealous and extreme.  A person in love this way is likely to do something crazy or silly, such as stalking.  The movie Fatal Attraction was about this type. 

Agape – is a gentle, caring, giving type of love, brotherly love, not concerned with the self.  It is relatively rare.  Mother Theresa showed this kind of love for impoverished people. 

During a study in 1985, men were found to show the ludic type of love, while women were more likely to be storgic or pragmatic.  Studies of couples happily married over 30 years showed that couples who rated their marriages as highly satisfactory described their relationship in terms which resembled erotic love more than the other five types.  This might be surprising; because it also found that limerence type relationships tend to flare out quickly among college students.  However, it might be the case that long-term relationships that contain both friendship and a passionate spark are more likely to endure and provide satisfaction to both parties than relationships that are low-key and pragmatic.