Two relevant thoughts…..

First, traditional societies, by and large, pay homage to constructs that are larger than the individual. Things such as family, church, country, etc…. Our modern, baby-boomer driven culture (USA) pays homage to the whims of the individual. All other elements of society are expected to yield to each person’s sense of self fulfillment. It ain’t called the ‘me’ generation by accident.

Second, this change in cultural priorities naturally focuses an individual’s attention and energy away from group activities and toward self centered endeavors. If you are motivated primarily by a personal quest for fulfillment, it isn’t likely that anyone else will be your lifelong companion based solely on common interest. In a traditional society dissimilar people might stay together for the kids or because they were expected to be married or support their family or community out of a sense of obligation. Our modern society no longer supports these concepts. Instead, our culture sees the individual as completely independent of society at large, with an obligated only to their personal happiness. No wonder the end result is a lonely old age.

BTW, the emphasis on family in traditional cultures solves the alpha/beta problem. Traditional culure pressured folks to get married by a decent age. You settled for the best you could find regardless of alpha/beta status. The point was to get married rather than “bag” a ’10′. One hoped for a good mate, but the primary purpose was to become part of a constructive, social institution that contributed to the community.