One in Six Adults Have Relationship ‘Backup Person’ Revealed

UPDATE: A new survey reveals that having a “backup person” in romantic relationships is more common than many realize. According to data from Talker Research, reported by StudyFinds, one in six adults currently in committed relationships admits they have someone they would consider leaving their partner for, should that person express romantic interest.

This startling trend highlights a growing phenomenon in modern relationships, where commitment may not mean closing all doors. The survey, which included 1,279 Americans, indicates that many individuals harbor feelings for someone they already know, rather than a hypothetical stranger.

Even more revealing, one in five respondents reported they do not view their current partner as a soulmate. The generational divide is also significant, with Millennials emerging as the age group most likely to believe in the concept of soulmates, despite many feeling unfulfilled in their current partnerships.

Differences in responses between genders further emphasize the complexities of commitment. Nineteen percent of men indicated they have a potential backup option, compared to 12 percent of women. Interestingly, women were slightly more inclined to assert that their partner is not their soulmate.

Clinical psychologist Adam Horvath explains that this internal conflict is not uncommon. “It is not unusual to think we could leave our partner for the new, exciting, mysterious other one,” he stated. Horvath suggests that if individuals frequently find themselves emotionally invested outside their relationship, it may signal deeper issues regarding boundaries and commitment.

Horvath makes a crucial distinction between attraction and behavior, emphasizing that attraction does not disappear merely because one chooses a partner. “What matters is what we do with our feelings,” he added. This perspective challenges the notion that having feelings for another person spells doom for a relationship.

The situation escalates when individuals begin to compare their actual partner with an idealized version of another. “When we compare our real partner to a fantasy of someone else, that often reflects something missing that the other person represents,” Horvath explained, pointing out that factors like novelty and emotional understanding often come into play.

This survey offers a candid look at contemporary commitment. For many, staying in a relationship is an active choice rather than a lack of options. The implications of having a backup person can either indicate a harmless fantasy or a warning sign, depending on how honestly individuals confront their feelings about their current relationship.

As these findings resonate with many, it’s clear that modern love is fraught with complexities and questions. The survey underscores the importance of communication and self-reflection in navigating romantic commitments.

This urgent update invites readers to consider their relationships and the emotional attachments that may linger just beneath the surface. What does it mean to have a backup person? And how does this reality shape the future of commitment in romantic partnerships?

Stay tuned for more insights as this conversation evolves around love, commitment, and personal desires.