Is Valentine's Day all About the Woman? (Or Are Men Getting Cheated Out?)

If we were all to celebrate Valentine's Day for what it actually is, it would be much more about honoring several martyred saints of the same name, and much less about Cupid and romance.  Nevertheless, this year more that 1.1 billion boxed chocolates will be bought and given to a significant other.  Which leads me to an interesting question:  Is Valentine's Day geared solely for the sake of women, or is it meant for men as well?

A friend of mine mentioned today that although he generally spends weeks planning a special Valentine's Day for his girlfriend, she never offers him so much as a single Hershey's Kiss.  He says it's not a money problem and she's not being rude, she just genuinely believes Valentine's Day is a day on which men shower women with special gifts and treats, and women are just supposed to sit back and enjoy without reciprocating.

Another male friend of mine told me that each year he stresses over finding the perfect gift for his sweetheart, but his hard-sought-after gift is usually received with something less than enthusiasm.  Last year, his girlfriend pointed out that she prefers white gold after she opened the silver necklace he bought for her.  And she insisted she only eats chocolates from Godiva, after he presented her with an expensive box of chocolates he bought from another store.  But for all her criticism, she gave him zilch in return.  Evidently, she also believes Valentine's Day was invented for women and not for men.

Myself, I've dated women with both mindsets.  One Valentine took me to see a piano concert in Fort Worth for Valentine's Day a few years ago.  Another date gave me a chocolate bar and a nice card.  Others gave me a big, fat goose egg.

So, readers, whether or not you have a Valentine this year, what is your point of view on the matter?  Should men and women both share in the sentiment giving for this holiday?