Generation Y or millennials are often criticized for being the anti-monogamy generation, but the persistence of the acronym “BAE” proves otherwise. Standing for ” before anyone else,” “BAE” illustrates the influence of the Internet on the dating behaviors of the modern young adult. While many people talk about the problem and persistence of hook-up culture among today’s 20-somethings, Generation Y’s inclusion of “BAE” in their vernacular speaks both to their commitment to monogamous relationships and to the influence the Internet has on their search for love.
Gen Y is not the first generation to have their love life influenced by technology. With the advent of the telegraph in the 1800s, Victorian couples chatted across the wires using shorthand messages like teenagers use emojis now. There was even a marriage performed using the telegraph.
While many people cringe at “BAE,” mistaking it for a lazy way of saying babe or baby, this word actually represents something positive about modern dating. Even though the Internet is often accused of causing people to be further isolated, it is in fact an extension of our human desire to connect and socialize with other people. “BAE” may sound like a word that belongs exclusively in a chat room, but it’s inclusion in our lexicon of love words shows the positive impact of the Internet on relationships. Regardless of the medium we use to seek love, the connections we make are nonetheless meaningful.
