"Love and Heartbreak on Facebook"

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=4865303&page=1

This article explains that once the ups and downs of a relationship was kept within the intimacy of close friends, but now an simple click on Facebook or Myspace can mark the beginning and end of a relationship. Now, EVERYONE, whether it is your best friend or a random stranger can know your "relationship status" through cyberspace! Raymond recounts his uncomfortable situation when he declared himself single on Facebook and then his ex-girlfriend received endless phone calls from her friends which just added to the "pain of a sensitive situation." The author explores the idea that Facebook and other social networking sites are ruining the what intimacy is and normal rites for couples, which is usually engagement, marriage, divorce. '"Symbols in a relationship are huge, like a ring, or meeting the parents," says Marshall. And a Facebook profile may hold yet another symbol to be reckoned with in the 21st century relationship."'

I've had friends who have just changed their relationship status and then five minutes later, my newsfeed is filled with comments concerning their relationship status. The phenomenon of Facebook and its relationship with intimacy can even affect relationships when its over, as seen from the example given above. This is crazy!