Modern Dating Culture: Does your partner have a backup partner? 1 in 6 people has someone else in their life.
Millennials and Soulmate Belief: Nowadays, people are looking for newness in relationships, due to which even if they have a partner, they keep looking for a new partner or keep a backup partner.
Modern Relationship Culture
Modern Love and Commitment Issues: In today's world, there are no guarantees in relationships. You can't even predict when and where someone might cheat. Many people create a backup partner in their relationships, so that if their partner cheats on them or they don't feel comfortable with them, they have an alternative. We're not saying this, but research has revealed that one in six people has a backup partner. Let us explain this in detail.
What did the research reveal?
A survey of over 1,200 people in the US revealed that 16 percent of those in committed relationships know someone they would leave their current partner for, given the opportunity. This isn't some distant celebrity crush, but the real people around them. The survey also revealed that 19 percent of men agreed with this, compared to 12 percent of women. This difference is certainly surprising, but it also reflects the insecurity prevalent in today's dating world, where people are unable to be completely sure about their relationships.
Backup Partner
This is where the "soulmate" debate comes into play. In the same survey, 1 in 5 people admitted they didn't consider their partner "the one." This sentiment was slightly more prevalent among women. Perhaps this is due to today's complex relationship culture. Amidst situational conflicts, red flags, and crumbling trust, opening up completely to someone feels risky to many. However, there's a difference between thought and reality. Relationship experts say such fantasies often indicate a lack of excitement, passion, or newness in the relationship. According to them, comparing a real partner to a fantasy is often a form of avoidance. Crushes show us what we're missing, but pursuing them can become a trap.
Has modern dating exacerbated this thinking?
In today's dating culture, maintaining distance seems to be the new trend. To appear "cool," not engaging too much, putting in less effort, and expressing emotions openly is considered a risk. In such an environment, people find it easier to keep their options open rather than fully committing to a single relationship. This concept of a backup partner is very similar to benching in today's dating parlance. In this, one person keeps the other person interested through messages, flirting, or occasional meetings, but does not fully commit. The other person remains emotionally attached, while the primary relationship continues until it ends.