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Should Valentine's Day Be Canceled?

Roses are red, violets are blue . . . here’s a Valentine’s Day debate for you! Should we take this holiday off the calendar? Fans of Valentine’s Day think of February 14 as a pink-themed occasion to celebrate love, often by giving gifts of flowers and chocolate. But critics say the holiday encourages unnecessary spending and waste. They also say the day makes single people feel bad about not having a romantic partner. What do you think? Are you looking forward to going all out this Valentine’s Day? Or would you be just as happy if the holiday went away? 

Yes

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Valentine's Day should be canceled. The holiday has become overly commercialized. Corporations pressure people into buying expensive gifts like jewelry or dozens of roses. That sends the message that what you buy is more important than how you feel. There is also a big environmental impact to Valentine's Day. Many of the flowers people give as gifts are grown using pesticides that can be harmful to the planet. If you really want to show someone you care, you can make them a card, cook them a meal, or just tell them in person. And you can express these acts of love any time. By canceling Valentine's Day, we can encourage more authentic, inclusive, and environmentally conscious expressions of love throughout the year.

—Vin Bhat, California

No

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Valentine’s Day should not be banned. It should be celebrated to its maximum potential! As a celebration of love, the holiday promotes happiness and well-being. In addition, Valentine’s Day can benefit local businesses like flower shops, chocolate makers, and restaurants. In fact, consumers spend approximately $25.9 billion on Valentine’s Day each year. Canceling this holiday could potentially result in job losses and a dip in the economy. Finally, people are free to celebrate the day any way they like. If they don’t want to buy gifts or flowers, they can show their love in other ways. The important thing is to take a day to express affection and appreciation for the people in your life.

—Erinn Luo, New York

Photo credits: Teen Photos Courtesy of Families; Illustration by Ale + Ale

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