Storge ( ;
In social psychology, another term for love between good friends is philia.
Extent
Storge is a wide-ranging force which can apply between family members, friends, and their pet owner,[
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companions or colleagues. Patriotism, of a nation, or Sports fandom may count as storge.[
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Storge can blend with and help underpin other types of ties such as passionate love or friendship.[Hooper, p. 370.]
Thus "storge" may function as a general term to characterize the love between exceptional friends, and their desire to care compassionately for one another.[B. Strong et al., The Marriage and Family Experience (2010) p. 150.]
Storge love
Sometimes the term is used to refer to the love between married partners who are committed and plan to have a long relationship together, particularly as a fundamental relational foundation after initial infatuation (limerence).
Another interpretation for storge is to be used to describe a sexual relationship between two people that gradually grew out of a friendship[ Family Experience p. 149] Storgic lovers are friends first; the friendship and the storge can endure even beyond the breakup of the relationship.[C. Gottschalk, How to Heal After Heartbreak (2013) p. 252] Storgic lovers place much importance on commitment and find that their motivation to avoid committing infidelity is to preserve the trust between the two partners. Children and marriage are seen as legitimate long-term aims for their bond,[J. S. Greenberg, Empowering Health Decisions (2013) p. 234] while passionate Human sexuality intensity is of lesser importance than in other love styles.[Gottschalk, p. 252]
Advantages
The advantages of storgic love may be how much storgic lovers love their own families and understand each other. In addition, two people who are deeply devoted to one another can feel the intimacy that they share.
See also
Further reading
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Lee JA (1973). The colors of love: an exploration of the ways of loving.
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Lee JA (1988). "Love styles" in Barnes MH, Sternberg RJ. The psychology of love.
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Lewis CS (1960). The four loves.
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Wood JT (2015). Interpersonal communication: everyday encounters. 8 ed.
