Is meeting family a serious relationship? What’s the difference between a boyfriend and a serious boyfriend?

[Anonymous]

Isn’t it a rule once you have a boyfriend you need to meet family? I always see couples meet family and then break up after few months or a year.
I thought a serious relationship was having a boyfriend for 5-10 years even if you never meet family? Or no that’s not considered a relationship?

i never have heard of someone having a boyfriend and she’s alone at the holdiays and alone at family parties, that’s being single.
so once you have a boyfriend technically it’s a serious relationship already? As you need meet family and everything besides dates? I don’t get it.

or is a serious boyfriend until you get married and have kids? But then that would be considered a husband and not serious boyfriend?

[gkhan]

From a guy's perspective, when I meet my girlfriend's family, it signifies my commitment to a long-term relationship. When I make an effort to build a connection with them, it shows my intention to gain their approval for a deeper relationship.


On the other hand, if I avoid meeting her family, it suggests that I'm not currently seeking a long-term commitment.


Additionally, if my girlfriend doesn't show respect or interest in my family, I might interpret it as her lack of interest in a serious, long-lasting relationship.

[Asker]

Yea but all girls show bfs to family. I never hear of someone having a boyfriend and they don’t meet family never. It’s like they get dumped if they don’t agree to meet family. It’s a rule to meet family if they r your boyfriend.
Also is having a boyfriend and meeting family then breaking up after 1-2 years still considered a long term relationship? Long term does that mean 5-10 years? 1-2 years? What’s long term?

[Lliam]

I always met my girlfriend's families. And I brought girlfriends along to my family's house and even to large family gatherings. It didn't mean anything more than inviting a friend or a date.
I mean, we were in an exclusive, infatuated relationship, but meeting each other's families had no particular significance aside from the fact that she was proud to be with me and I was proud to be with her.
But it wasn't like "So when are you two going to get married?"

[Asker]

No I didn’t mean getting married. I just want know what a serious relationship means. Dating means a serious relationship? I know meeting families just means u r a couple that’s it but I never met a guy that will meet family. Yet again I only had one boyfriend in my entire 25 years so I still haven’t expedienced what it’s like bring a boyfriend to meet family.

[Asker]

I know meeting family don’t mean u will get married. My point is what is a serious relationship? Is dating and meeting family a serious relationship? Or no that’s just the normal rule a boyfriend needs do with a girlfriend? And serious relationship means living together having a baby and married?

[Asker]

I’m so unexperienced at 26 sorry if I sound dumb

[Lliam]

I don't know. To me, serious relationship means exclusive and mutually infatuated. But it's not a guarantee. Don't mistake infatuation for love.

I think you have to be in a serious relationship for at least a year or two to know if it will last. You have to get to know each others habits, moods, behaviors, idiosyncrasies, ethics, values, ambitions, work ethic, sexual compatibility, ...

Love is knowing that your partner isn't perfect but that you can love and accept them for who they are. You have to know that you can trust each other completely. Love is built on loyalty and trust. Love is being willing and able to work our disagreements and to want what's best for each other. You are dedicated to making each other feel equally respected, happy, and fulfilled. It is not one sided or selfish.

Saying "I love you" and wanting to have babies isn't enough. That stuff is emotional. You can't bet your life on emotion. Emotions can cloud your judgement. You have to be smart. You have to be sure.
You have to decide for sure that you can see yourself living the rest of your lives with each other.
Love is serious. It's deep commitment.

Serious relationships are amazing, though. Wanting to be with each other all the time, hanging out, going places and doing things together. Holding hands, walking with your arms around each other, chatting, confiding, kissing, laughing, having fun, making love. There's nothing like it.

Even if a serious relationship doesn't last forever, you learn, gain experience, grow wiser, and you had an amazing time while it lasted.

It's okay if a serious relationship doesn't last. They often don't. You just rinse, wash and repeat until you do find that lasting love you are looking for.

[ɹǝʇʇɐɥpɐW]

A casual relationship is when you're exclusive, but you don't live together or meet each other's family. A casual relationship can last years. It's basically meaning there is no marriage anywhere in sight.

A serious relationship shows signs that marriage could happen. Meeting each other's family shows intent to marry. It may be different for different cultures.

[Asker]

But don’t all people with a boyfriend meet family? I don’t think meeting families mean u will marry , every single girl that has a boyfriend it’s the rule to meet family. Even if u break up a new guy is meeting ur family. I’m confused what serious relationship means. I thought it meant dating a boyfriend for 5-10 years was a serious relationship and it isn’t. I guess babies and living together is a serious relationship?

[Asker]

I’ve never heard of anyone dating someone for many years without meeting family. All girls meet family with every single boyfriend they get

[ɹǝʇʇɐɥpɐW]

Like I said, it may differ with cultures. Here, it is common for people to date without meeting each other's families. In a long term relationship, they may have to meet families because it can't be avoided, but is far from an automatic thing and usually only occurs after months of dating.

It is only one step toward a serious relationship, but an important one.

[ɹǝʇʇɐɥpɐW]

A casual relationship can last for decades. There is no intent to marry and both people can fairly easily exit the relationship.

A serious relationship has intent to marry and exiting the relationship can be very difficult due to legal hurdles, financial reasons, sharing children, or other serious issues that may be involved in your relationship. A serious relationship can form rather quickly. Even in less than a year.

[Nikki1989]

I don't think meeting family counts for anything these days.

[Asker]

Really? Why not?

[Asker]

I’ve never had a guy meet family so it must be a big deal.