The split is not mainly between romantics and cynics. It is about what the day is for and who is expected to do the work. YouGov's survey at the end of January 2026 found 37% of Americans planning to celebrate against 45% who were not, though among people actually in a relationship that reverses to 52% versus 27%. Most people no longer treat it as strictly romantic: 59% say it is for both romantic and platonic relationships, against 28% who say romantic relationships only. The friction shows up in the execution. Only 45% of couples say planning is shared equally; 20% say they are mainly responsible and 13% say their partner is. And 26% say they have been disappointed by a partner not doing enough for the day, with women three times more likely than men to say so, 39% against 13%. An occasion that is optional, unevenly planned and capable of producing a specific remembered failure is a natural candidate for a divided verdict.