If people aren’t marrying and aren’t dating, they must be doing something to satisfy their need for intimacy, whether they are opting for sexual and romantic alternatives such as prostitutes, romantic

they must be doing something to satisfy their need

Not necessarily true. This sociologist has ignored the possibility that people are just not giving into that need. Maybe they found better things to do with their time.

Yeah, maybe they don't need much intimacy. What you never had you never miss.

Wow it never occurred to me to replace sex with my pets, an obsession with celebrities, or romantic video games. Isn't this guy talking about the negative blowback from having a high pressure society which encourages introvertedness?

I'm sure there are people who either don't have the need for 'intimacy' or can't be bothered with the hassle of dating/a relationship. If I broke up with my partner, I don't know if I'd have the energy or inclination these days.

Not sure that celebrity obsession or pornography offer intimacy.

prostitutes, romantic video games, celebrity obsessions, pornography or pets.

How does he group pets into this fray?? Is he eluding to beastiality?? What an idiot.

"Not sure that celebrity obsession or pornography offer intimacy."

Don't underestimate the power of the imagination and the stresses of a relationship. I got lucky with my partner but I know plenty who didn't get lucky with theirs. Bit of a gamble. Given the choice between a moody, demanding, clingy, pain-the-arse type of partner and porn, I'd be surfing away.

There are many situations in which couples can be intimate with each other without having sex. For some, medical reasons can prevent sexual intercourse. Intimacy can be cultivated in many ways like spending quality time together, enjoying physical, non-sexual contact or enjoying shared interests and listening to each other. Sex is only one way in which people give and receive love. Although it is very important, it is not the only way to develop or express intimacy. In the end being intimate with your partner requires you to be open and honest with him or her, and it is from this state of intimacy that great sex grows.

I got lucky with my partner but I know plenty who didn't get lucky with theirs. Bit of a gamble. Given the choice between a moody, demanding, clingy, pain-the-arse type of partner and porn, I'd be surfing away.

Me too! But what's even nicer is when you have a partner who is surfing away with you.

"If people aren’t marrying and aren’t dating, they must be doing something to satisfy their need for intimacy".

Marriage and intimacy aren't, and have never been, synonymous, that's why many ppl seek and find intimacy outside of it.

If the author only refers to sexual needs i would say dating, casual dating (one night stands), prossies, porn etc are often more 'satisfying' than marriage itself, both quantitatively and qualitatively.

I'd like to point out that while the media loves Yamada's ideas, especially his "parasite single" nonsense, most of us in the field consider him a nutcase. He has very strong assumptions, in a lot of his work, about how families "should" be, and those assumptions do not match reality. Just my opinion.

There's nothing more adorable than when the older generation sits around wringing their hands and whining about the younger generation doing what the older generation used to do.

Mr. Yamada is very loose with his terminology. I doubt anyone gets the same "intimacy" from a pet they might get from a prostitute. What people normally refer to is "companionship". Celebrities may fulfill a number of roles, mildly distracting entertainment, safe topic of conversation like the weather, etc. but they do not provide "intimacy".

Perhaps any culture that focuses so much on the self, individual needs/wants, and projection of the self (Facebook, Instagram, comments on news websites(!) etc.) will naturally gravitate away from traditional relationships. The motor industry tells individuals to buy their cars, not to get married so they can then buy their cars.