In the first months of the epidemic, China recorded a record number of divorces. Sociologists predict a complete restructuring of communication between people - including within the family. But in fact, these processes were launched long before the coronavirus. Forbes Life decided to figure out what transformations of the institution of family and relationships we can expect in the future.
Is romance everything? At least this is hinted at by the statistics of recent years. In his book Living Solo, sociologist Eric Kleinenberg says that in the United States today, about half of adults are single. And the number of singles all over the world from 1996 to 2006 alone has grown by 33%. There is no reason to believe that this trend will soon turn in the other direction - the “traditional family” is likely to fade into the past faster and faster.
Still, man is a biosocial animal, and relationships with others are important to us. Close contact with partners is what helps us release the hormone oxytocin, which is critical for physical and mental health. This means that even if the classic marriage fades into oblivion, something must replace it. Let's try to figure out - what transformations of the institution of family, relationships and sex can we expect in the future?
Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his book "The Selfish Gene" gives a lot of mathematical calculations, after which he comes to the conclusion that monogamy for humans and many closely related animal species is the most effective strategy.
But does this mean that we must “be together until death do us part”?
Of course not. “By nature,” monogamy is enough for 3-4 years - to conceive, give birth and raise a child. It is this “lifespan” of monogamy that is confirmed by the studies of anthropologist Helen Fisher. She performed brain MRI scans of people who are in a state of acute love and those who are in older relationships. It turned out that the work of the "reward system" of the brain, which produces dopamine, eventually ceases to be so strongly excited in response to the presence of the same partner.
In addition, research by Finnish scientists shows that women who have been in a monogamous relationship for 7 years have much lower libido than singles and those who have recently found a new partner. Today, the average number of partners in people in developed countries is five to seven people in a lifetime. At the same time, the number of marriages in almost all OECD countries is falling rapidly, and the number of divorces is growing.
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It can be assumed that the choice of serial monogamy - that is, changing partners every few years - will become one of the main trends in future relationships. Gradually, more and more people will abandon the idea of "together forever" - especially given the prospect of a radical extension of life - and end the relationship as soon as they stop giving a surge of dopamine and oxytocin.
Most of us grew up under the influence of the myth of romantic love, which will overcome all obstacles and bring unprecedented happiness. But there was little evidence of this - only subjective eyewitness accounts, as well as fictional fiction in books and films.
Now, with the development of science, it has become possible to quite accurately assess - how does a romantic relationship really affect the body?
For example, in this study, Australian scientists monitored the mental health of 3,820 respondents - and correlated their answers with the quality of their personal relationships. It turned out - quite expectedly - that only a successful union reduces the risks of depression and anxiety.
Another thing is interesting - firstly, unsuccessful relationships are more harmful for women than for men. They increase the likelihood of anxiety disorder in them, while they do not affect men in any way. Secondly, and most importantly, the quality of a romantic relationship can be quantified - for example, using the DAS-7 questionnaire. If you score less than 25 points on it, then it is better to end such a relationship.
It seems that the times are not far off when people will make the decision to start a relationship not at the call of their hearts, but according to the data of tests and examinations. Take questionnaires, do a functional MRI to determine the response of your brain to your partner, get tested for oxytocin and the oxytocin receptor gene - and you can with a fairly high probability determine the outcome of your romance.
