The Seven Year Itch

Definition

The Seven Year Itch refers to a psychological and sociological theory suggesting that happiness in a long-term romantic relationship often declines after around seven years. This term gained popularity through its cultural references, particularly in film and literature, and connects to the examination of relationships and gender roles in the context of visual representation and feminist critique.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The phrase 'The Seven Year Itch' became widely known after the 1955 film starring Marilyn Monroe, which depicted a man feeling tempted to cheat after seven years of marriage.
2. In the context of feminist theory, this concept highlights societal pressures on women and men within long-term relationships, reinforcing traditional gender roles.
3. Research suggests that many couples experience a dip in relationship satisfaction around the seventh year, which can lead to increased rates of divorce or infidelity.
4. The Seven Year Itch challenges the notion of a 'happily ever after' by revealing the complexities and struggles faced by couples over time.
5. Cultural representations of The Seven Year Itch often reflect and critique the expectations placed on romantic relationships, making it an important subject for feminist analysis.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of The Seven Year Itch relate to the male gaze and its impact on perceptions of romantic relationships?
  • The Seven Year Itch connects to the male gaze by illustrating how women's roles in relationships are often constructed through a male-centric lens. In many cultural depictions, women are objectified as temptresses or as causes of dissatisfaction in men's lives after several years. This portrayal reinforces traditional gender norms and expectations, presenting women as responsible for maintaining excitement in relationships while sidelining men's agency in their experiences.
• Discuss how The Seven Year Itch reflects heteronormative assumptions in society about love and commitment.
  • The Seven Year Itch highlights heteronormative assumptions by suggesting that heterosexual couples follow a predictable trajectory of relationship satisfaction. It implies that the ideal narrative of love includes a period of decline after seven years, reinforcing expectations around marriage and fidelity. This perspective overlooks diverse relationship dynamics and fails to acknowledge how societal pressures can create challenges for couples beyond this assumed timeline.
• Evaluate the implications of The Seven Year Itch for feminist visual theory regarding the representation of relationships in media.
  • The Seven Year Itch has significant implications for feminist visual theory by emphasizing how media representations can perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women and relationships. The repeated narrative of dissatisfaction after seven years not only reinforces traditional gender roles but also normalizes infidelity as an expected behavior. By analyzing these portrayals through a feminist lens, critics can uncover underlying ideologies that shape public perceptions of love, commitment, and gender dynamics, ultimately advocating for more nuanced and equitable representations in media.

Related terms

Male Gaze: A concept introduced by feminist film theorist Laura Mulvey, describing the way visual arts are often created from a masculine perspective, objectifying women for male pleasure.

Heteronormativity: The belief or assumption that heterosexuality is the norm, influencing societal expectations about relationships and gender roles.

Feminist Visual Theory: A framework that critiques how visual representations in art and media perpetuate gender inequalities and promote patriarchal values.