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Dr. Gad Saad on Human Mating and Intimacy: Evolution, Lust, and Consumerism
Let’s talk about love, lust, and why your ex still hasn’t returned your hoodie. Dr. Gad Saad, evolutionary psychologist extraordinaire, claims that the answers to these mysteries lie in your DNA—not your Spotify breakup playlist.
Saad’s work unravels human mating and intimacy as a grand performance choreographed by evolution, with humans driven by ancient instincts that whisper, "Find a mate, secure the species!"
But not everyone’s on board with Saad’s views.
To some, he’s a truth-teller who’s slapped modern nonsense across the face with science.
To others, he’s the biological equivalent of that guy at a party who keeps insisting it’s actually about survival of the fittest. Let’s dig deeper into the juicy debates swirling around Saad’s provocative ideas on human mating.
The "Tall Girl" Problem: How Women's Success Narrows the Dating Pool
The "Tall Girl" problem is a metaphor that captures a growing dilemma in modern dating: as women rise in economic, educational, and social status, the pool of men who meet their criteria for a partner narrows significantly.
Just as a tall woman might struggle to find a taller man who fits her preferences, a successful woman faces challenges finding a man who matches—or exceeds—her accomplishments in the areas she values most.
Why Does the "Tall Girl" Problem Exist?
Why Are American Women Outpacing American Men Economically?
Over the past few decades, American women have made remarkable economic strides, challenging traditional gender roles and reshaping labor market dynamics.
Women's economic success can be attributed to various factors, including higher educational attainment, shifts in employment trends, and changing societal norms.
Conversely, American men are experiencing a decline in economic participation and success.
This disparity has significant implications for social structures, including the concept of hypergamy—marrying “up” economically—which is being redefined in this context.
Love and Mortgages: Why Many Couples Are Prioritizing Homeownership Over Marriage
In a world where dreams of white picket fences collide with skyrocketing home prices, a fascinating trend is reshaping the milestones of modern relationships.
Increasingly, couples are saying "I do" to homeownership before marriage, redefining what commitment looks like in today’s economic and social landscape.
But why is this shift happening, and what does it mean for relationships?
Let’s explore the reasons, benefits, and challenges of this emerging trend, all while celebrating the love and practicality that drive it.
"Enshittification": A Therapist’s Lens on Family and Intimate Relationships
While"enshittification" may have been coined to describe the decline of online platforms, its relevance transcends the digital world.
As a marriage and family therapist, I see this word as an apt metaphor for the gradual deterioration of relationships when unchecked dynamics, selfishness, or neglect creep in.
Just as platforms once built on trust and utility erode due to profit-seeking, intimate connections can crumble when foundational values are sacrificed for short-term gains or external pressures.
Separated Fathers Face Unique Challenges in Staying Connected with Their Children, Especially Daughters
Parental separation is never easy, but it often hits fathers the hardest when it comes to maintaining meaningful connections with their children.
A new study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family reveals a concerning pattern: separated fathers, particularly in Italy, face significant barriers to staying in touch with their children—and the gap is most pronounced with daughters.
Even in our hyper-connected digital age, where communication seems just a click away, maintaining these bonds proves challenging.
This isn’t just a story about technology; it’s about relationships, gender dynamics, and how society shapes family roles in the wake of separation.
Do Women Have a Sixth Sense About Relationships? New Research Untangles the Mystery
When it comes to love, is it true that women have an intuitive radar for spotting trouble in paradise? Pop culture has long portrayed women as relationship whisperers, armed with an uncanny ability to forecast the rise and fall of romantic partnerships.
From rom-coms to watercooler gossip, the belief in women's superior "relationship instincts" is as enduring as it is compelling. But does science back up this idea? According to a fascinating new study, the answer is... complicated.
While women’s commitment levels were found to be a stronger predictor of relationship dissolution in mixed-gender couples, the plot thickens: men’s and women’s evaluations of love and satisfaction are equally critical. So, are women the oracles of relationships?
Or is the story more nuanced?
Love in the Time of Spreadsheets: Breaking Research the Perils of Office Romances in 2024
The workplace—a realm where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the scent of ambition, and where the copier's hum provides the soundtrack to our professional lives.
It's also a place where Cupid, that mischievous imp, occasionally swaps his bow for a stapler, leading to the age-old conundrum: office romances.
While tales of love blossoming between cubicles can warm the heart, they often leave HR departments reaching for the aspirin. Let's delve into why these workplace dalliances are often more trouble than they're worth, backed by social science research and a dash of humor.
Thanksgiving Turkeys and Gray Divorce: How Adult Children Navigate the Holiday Maze
Thanksgiving. The smell of roasted turkey, the clatter of too many casserole dishes, and the inevitable moment when someone says, “This isn’t how Mom used to make it.”
Now, imagine sprinkling in a hefty dash of “gray divorce”—the rising trend of older couples calling it quits after decades of marriage—and suddenly, your holiday stuffing isn’t the only thing feeling torn apart.
When parents divorce after the kids are grown, it often feels like an earthquake rumbling through long-held family traditions.
Add the logistical gymnastics of coordinating 2 Thanksgivings, navigating awkward new family dynamics, and managing emotional fallout, and it’s no wonder adult children might approach the holiday season with more dread than delight.
Kafka on Friendship and the Art of Reconnection: A Modern Perspective on Estrangement
Franz Kafka’s reflections on friendship offer a timeless lens through which we can examine the fractures and reconnections that define modern American family estrangements.
As Kafka wrestled with the paradoxes of intimacy and isolation, he illuminated truths about the human condition that resonate profoundly in our era of growing disconnection.
The Science of Career Personalities: What Your Job Says About You
Ever wonder if your job is shaping your personality—or if your personality guided you to your job in the first place?
A fascinating new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology explored personality profiles across 263 occupations, revealing distinct personality patterns tied to specific professions.
Spoiler alert: it turns out not all accountants are shy, and not all salespeople are extroverts, but the trends are as entertaining as they are enlightening.
The Complex Connection Between Dark Personality Traits and Mental Health: What a New Study Reveals
A recent study published in the Journal of Personality sheds light on how dark personality traits—narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—interact with mental health over time.
These findings bring an important perspective to understanding the nuanced relationships between traits associated with manipulative or self-serving tendencies and psychological well-being.