Puppy love

Puppy love, also known as a crush, is an informal term for feelings of romantic love, often felt during childhood and early adolescence.^[1] It is an infatuation usually developed by someone's looks and attractiveness at first sight. It is named for its resemblance to the adoring, worshipful affection that may be felt by a puppy. Puppy love typically lasts between 2 months and 2 years, and is thought to be fueled by preadolescent hormones. Some scientists, however, think it is initiated as a result of the natural development of the brain at the onset of preadolescence.^[2]

The term can be used in a derogatory fashion, presuming the affair to be shallow and transient in comparison to other forms of love.^[3] Sigmund Freud, however, was far from underestimating the power of early love, recognizing the validity of "the proverbial durability of first loves".^[4]

^ Ray E. Short (2004). Sex, Love or Romance. p. 16. Simple infatuation is also known as called a 'crush' or 'puppy love'. It commonly strikes those in the early teens or younger.
^ Lynette Poolman; Laura Crawford (2006). "Pleasure and Love". In Sheryl Feinstein (ed.). The Praeger Handbook of Learning and the Brain. Vol. 2. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 384. ISBN 978-0-313-33980-6.
^ Georgette Heyer (1974). Bath Tangle. London. pp. 284, 183. calf-love...a sickly, sentimental dream which only a moonstruck fool could have created!{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^ Sigmund Freud, On Sexuality (PFL 7) p. 67

[1] Ray E. Short (2004). Sex, Love or Romance. p. 16. Simple infatuation is also known as called a 'crush' or 'puppy love'. It commonly strikes those in the early teens or younger.

[2] Lynette Poolman; Laura Crawford (2006). "Pleasure and Love". In Sheryl Feinstein (ed.). The Praeger Handbook of Learning and the Brain. Vol. 2. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 384. ISBN 978-0-313-33980-6.

[3] Georgette Heyer (1974). Bath Tangle. London. pp. 284, 183. calf-love...a sickly, sentimental dream which only a moonstruck fool could have created!{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

[4] Sigmund Freud, On Sexuality (PFL 7) p. 67

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