People want for relationships is strongly tied to what they have been taught and culture

Zoya_The_Destroyah · 2026-07-13T01:30:10+00:00

Having a partner also means getting to have your favorite person around all the time, which is pretty amazing. If you feel like you’re having to put up with them, then they aren’t the right person. I don’t think young people are rejecting dating for the reason you mentioned, I think they’re more socially awkward than ever and are just having a hard time dating.

Creation_Soul · 2026-07-13T10:01:23+00:00

I think another kind of pressure to pair up is that as you grow older, the more your friends pair up, the less time they will have for the friendship.

This puts some pressure on those that are single to find partners as well.

BobtheArcher2018 · 2026-07-13T01:31:10+00:00

Yes. Nature and nurture are always both in the mix. But this dodges the relative importance.

Some argue that, yes, a different culture and environment in past times encouraged (forced, some say) women to have to choose one of the men they could land. But they also argue that biology is different enough that forcing the average woman to marry the average man is far more onerous to her than to him. Widespread, socially enforced monogamy always oppressed women more than men, no matter the details, precisely because women are just more sexually selective on an innate, biological basis.

hexdeedeedee · 2026-07-13T03:54:32+00:00

Yes. We are the product of our genes and our environment. There is no free will. Thats why the people with power care so much about the youngins; the sooner you change the environment of someone for something that benefits you, the harder they will toe the line you want them to toe

Thats also why this particular generation of youngins is scaring the people in power. The rapid change in our environment with the dominance of smartphones completely changed how you social engineer a generation.

On a side note, since you already realize the importance of culture, you should be very wary of people who claim all cultures are equal; its a sign of low intelligence, and people of low intelligence are always someones useful idiot

Flightlessbirbz · 2026-07-13T02:43:22+00:00

I’d say wanting a partner is quite natural across cultures. However, I used to think the desire to reproduce, especially for women, was a lot more innate than it seems to be in reality. I was told that when I hit my 30s I’d want to have a baby no matter what, but whenever I think about it, I’m just so glad I didn’t. It seems to be heavily based in cultural pressure, so perhaps wanting a relationship is too more than we realize.

If nothing else, things like what age to “settle down” by, when or if to have kids, how important legal marriage is, how big of a deal divorce is, definitely are culturally dependent. Not wanting any sort of long-term companionship still isn’t super common, but that could change too.

ThatBitchA · 2026-07-13T02:22:52+00:00

What kind of responsibilities towards them? What implications? If you feel you "have to put up with someone" , why are you in a relationship with them?

Honestly, if you view relationships as these dreary things that people only do because it's in pop culture...... well, stay single.

Romantic relationships are like friendships. They are silly and joyful and make you feel seen and loved. Romantic relationships are friendships intensified in so many ways.

romanticresignation · 2026-07-13T02:24:03+00:00

Just an anecdote here: I was a #loser in high school. I was chopped and had hella acne. I was desperate for guys to like me, and guess what, none of them did. But in hindsight, I wasn't ready for a relationship then, I just wanted one bc all the "popular" kids were in relationships.

I've never been in a relationship until college. I've dated around in college, but never got too serious. Just wanted to test the waters and see what I vibed with. I'm currently not prioritizing seeing anyone rn and focusing on building my career. Focusing on yourself instead of getting into a relationship bc it makes you look "cooler" is so much healthier for the mind.

fakingandnotmakingit · 2026-07-13T02:48:05+00:00

Part of it is cultural I agree.

But also a lot of people like the idea of coming home to someone they love. To have someone to talk to or chat.

I've heard from a lot of older single people that it's generally nights when it gets harder. When you come home from an activity and then there's just sleep, chores and nothing else.

The flip side of course is that it's peaceful. There's no responsibility and you don't have to deal with the other person.

I think most people would be happier with a good relationship. But with the caveat that the relationship is better than when you were single.

SyrusDrake · 2026-07-14T01:14:31+00:00

I mean, yea, every anthropologist would probably agree with you. At least any anthropologist who got their education in the 2000s, anyway. Lifelong (in theory), permanent, monogamous, heterosexual relationships are probably relatively uncommon in humans.

LopsidedPen9859 · 2026-07-13T02:39:57+00:00

For a lot of people, partnerships provide at least the hope of bonding with somebody for the rest of their lives.

To say nothing of sex.

And fwiw, the idea that the younger generation is somehow apathetic to dating and sex and relationships is belied by gestures at everything

At best, you could argue that a lot are more content single but the ones who are not are e.g. going full off the deep end on incel rabbit holes. And intense feminist ones that go beyond something like "pay gap", "glass ceiling", "I don't like being raped" into entire theories of how men are these awful creatures controlling the globe.

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Just_Fisherman4910 · 2026-07-13T16:09:48+00:00

Re: "Perhaps it's not just because of my sexuality"
-> I would say that the only reason you hold this pov is solely because of your sexuality.

Competitive_Swan_130 · 2026-07-13T16:32:20+00:00

Amatonormativity is strong in America. My dating and romantic life has, for the most part, been exceptional though and I really believe that's because I was raised to not prioritize romantic relationships over other types of relationships and to enjoy my own company so I'm not desperate to be in a relationship as soon as one just ended.

These lessons have served me well

Present-Afternoon-70 · 2026-07-13T16:35:12+00:00

Humans are generally serially monogamous. Most people form exclusive romantic relationships, but many have more than one over the course of their lives. While some partnerships last a lifetime, many last only a few years before people form new long-term bonds.

People generally want enduring social relationships. That tendency isn't something culture invents, although culture strongly shapes who we seek relationships with, what we expect from them, and whether we prioritize marriage, children, or remaining single

Objective_Ad_6265 · 2026-07-13T16:53:02+00:00

No. It's real inner desire. I feel like I was raised to look up to independent women but I always felt that hole in my heart. So I think it's real natural desire for humans.

Outside_Memory5703 · 2026-07-13T19:03:25+00:00

Plenty of modern western people want relationships and children all on their own, because both can be enjoyable and fulfilling

I enjoy my marriage a lot

We’re all very aware that we don’t have to

Firm-Break-641 · 2026-07-13T12:20:02+00:00

If it's cultural in the sense that the culture is built around human nature, and in human nature you would rather be with someone than alone in your most critical moments, then yes.

Even if younger people don't concern themselves much with how their lives will look like in 40 years, a lot of people get into and stay in relationships as some survival mechanism. In my opinion it is strongly tied to nurturing survival. If anything happens to you, if you need to call someone, if you need to share something. Most people understand the longevity of their close family members, subconsciously.

It seems redundant to you because there's all these systems built in place to replace this need, but in the end of the day, if this system fails, all you have left are your closest relationships. Romantic ones are sometimes considered even closer than parental and familial relationships.

Responsible_Height64 · 2026-07-13T16:40:25+00:00

Can you tell me the things you do that you weren't taught or influenced by culture?

Melodic_Structure928 · 2026-07-13T17:57:08+00:00

brain chemicals tell you that cuddling feels nice or something is the reason. and also sex, having someone to talk too, feeling appreciated and desired in general.

Title	People want for relationships is strongly tied to what they have been taught and culture
Author	AlvaroXZ999
Upvotes	17
Comments	60
Date	July 13, 2026 1:21 AM UTC (1 week ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/PurplePillDebate
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/PurplePillDebate/comments/1uuxho4/people_want_for_relationships_is_strongly_tied_to/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/PurplePillDebate/people-want-for-relationships-is-strongly-tied-to.1584901 https://theredarchive.com/post/1584901

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