Modern intimate relationships: are we going through an economization of feelings?

Background In the society 2.0, with the spread of new technologies and individualization and economization processes, intimate relationships – a primary aspect in human lives – often seem as interactions between consumers and commodities, due to the wider narcissistic boosts. Coherently, new relational configurations emerged (e.g. “friends with benefits”), as individuals mainly look for their own satisfaction. Moreover, nowadays people often look for new partners also through online dating sites, which look like markets where they can choose the best partner for them among those on display. Aims Because of these ongoing changes, it becomes critical to understand which forms and characteristics intimate relationships are assuming. Some studies Studies about online dating sites use in Italian samples show the creation of not necessarily durable relationships, coherently with the consumerist logic, which however doesn’t associate with low authenticity and support perceived in them. Despite of this, the levels of perceived authenticity and support are medium-low, suggesting that these relationships can’t help in facing negative emotions and stressful events. These studies lead us to think about support and self-disclosure – key aspects of intimacy – in modern intimate relationships, as the quality of in intimate relationships affects individual well-being. Conclusions The challenge is to discuss and understand how to help people in facing these new intimate relationships respecting what they desire and need but in the same time reducing the negative aspects that these new relational modes can imply (as objectification of others, loss of intimacy, etc.) for individuals and communities. Moreover, are these aspects the same also in other countries?