As social isolation increases and supportive communities decline, people increasingly rely on their romantic partners to fulfill emotional connection and belonging needs once provided by larger social networks.

Examples:

• Modern lifestyles, characterized by long work hours, extended commutes, and fewer close community ties, reduce opportunities for building close relationships.
• Loss of "social capital"—the continuous support and fellowship once offered by neighbors and extended communities—has left many people feeling isolated.
• Individuals now look to their romantic partners to provide the emotional connection and sense of belonging that were once found in broader social circles.

Where does this idea come from?

• Social isolation trends in modern society
• Loss of supportive communities
• Behavioral psychology and emotional needs

What's similar to this idea?

• Connection as a survival mechanismConnection as a survival mechanismThe innate drive to form emotional attachments with a few irreplaceable individuals is essential for physical, mental, and emotional health, ensuring survival and well-being. Examples: * Emotional attachments are wired into our genes as a survival mechanism, as described by John Bowlby and inspired by Charles Darwin’s theories on natural selection. * Historical accounts, such as children in foundling homes dying from sadness or orphaned children suffering from emotional deprivation, highlight
• Importance of emotional bonding in relationships
• Loneliness as a modern health risk

What's opposite of this idea?

• Dependency as dysfunctionDependency as dysfunctionThe belief that healthy adults should be self-sufficient and that emotional dependency on others is a sign of weakness or dysfunction. Examples: * Emotional reliance in marriages was often labeled as "codependency" or "enmeshment," suggesting that such behavior was harmful to relationships. * Cultural and psychological views historically emphasized self-sufficiency, portraying emotional dependency as a flaw that led to failed marriages. * Terms like "fused" or "merged" were used to stigmatize
• Relationships between Adults with "Controlled Emotions"Relationships between Adults with "Controlled Emotions"The notion that emotions in relationships should be suppressed or controlled, with dependency on others seen as a sign of weakness or dysfunction. Examples: * Viewing emotional dependence in relationships as unhealthy, labeling individuals as “enmeshed” or “codependent.” * Advocating for self-sufficiency and emotional restraint as key to maintaining healthy adult relationships. * Therapists encouraging individuals to avoid emotional reliance on their partners. Where does this idea come from?

Where does this idea lead to?

• Connection as a survival mechanismConnection as a survival mechanismThe innate drive to form emotional attachments with a few irreplaceable individuals is essential for physical, mental, and emotional health, ensuring survival and well-being. Examples: * Emotional attachments are wired into our genes as a survival mechanism, as described by John Bowlby and inspired by Charles Darwin’s theories on natural selection. * Historical accounts, such as children in foundling homes dying from sadness or orphaned children suffering from emotional deprivation, highlight
• Adult attachment dynamicsAdult attachment dynamicsThe emotional bonds adults form with their partners are shaped by the same attachment needs observed in children, influencing behavior, self-perception, and relationship quality. Examples: * Adults, like children, seek attachment to feel secure and supported, as demonstrated by Bowlby’s studies of World War II widows. * Securely attached individuals are better at giving and receiving support, forgiving partners, and maintaining a positive self-image even when acknowledging their flaws. * When
• The importance of quality in relationships, not just their presenceThe importance of quality in relationships, not just their presenceThe health and emotional benefits of relationships depend not just on their existence but on the quality of the connections within them. Examples: * People whose partners show love and support experience significantly fewer health issues, such as angina episodes, compared to those in emotionally distant relationships. * Women who have suffered a heart attack are three times more likely to experience another if their marriage is marked by discord. * Hostile criticism and conflict in relationsh

Status: #idea
Tags: love, relationships, loneliness, social isolation, emotional dependency

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References

Hold Me Tight by Dr Sue Johnson > Part One: A New Light on Love