On Mashable I came across a very interesting article where a Facebook study was able to study trends in dating and break ups. While I think it is very interesting they were able to find a trend in the days, seasons and times of the year that people are breaking up, I find it also intriguing how Facebook status’ have played a role in many relationships.
What I have realized among my peers is that the “break up” Facebook status has become a way for many people to attract attention and sympathy from others. Facebook “friends,” whether they are true and strong friends out in the real world, respond with consoling words, inspiration for living the single life and advice to just keep your head up. What I find really interesting is that this social network has allowed for these comments to be public and available for others to see; whereas, if you were to call up a friend or meet a friend in person and tell them about your break up, only you and your friend will know what is said between the two of you.
Is this break up Facebook status posted just to update about your life, or is it a way to make your ex feel bad and jealous, or is it even designed as an announcement that you’re back on the market? Interesting…
http://mashable.com/2010/11/02/facebook-status-updates-breakups/
Strategically Communicating 
I’ve gone through the experience of the “status change” and must say that I seriously dislike a public status change. There should be some way to privatize the news entry for a relationship change.
Then again, nothing is really private on social media, so I guess people can’t be too picky.
Ehh, such is life.
By: radonski on November 4, 2010
at 9:14 pm
I think this is a great topic and a very interesting article. I’ve talked to friends about how it seems that certain times of year everyone is breaking-up, while other months everyone seems so in love! How smart to use the “relationship status” function on Facebook to examine trends among the relationships of young adults.
This also reminded me of the Social Network movie, when the creator of Facebook realizes that adding a “single” or “in a relationship” button to each user’s page would revolutionize his design.
Tara, I agree that the relationship function has led to unnecessary sympathy during breakups from insincere “friends,” yet it is also an exciting way to solidify your bond with another person by making your relationship completely public. Certainly an interesting concept…
By: ryEburch on November 6, 2010
at 6:50 am
This topic is so trippy because it further proves how social media has become such an integrated part of our lives. Just as someone can visit a travel blog and write a terrible review for a hotel to attract attention and possible compensation from that provider, we can go on Facebook and with a few clicks of a mouse, change the public perception of ourselves. This type of marketing continues to be powerful because it gives the consumer/victim/user public attention and an advantage that the individual would not otherwise get from traditional media.
By: Kelly Pace on November 9, 2010
at 10:22 pm