The concept of “mathematics of love” seems like an oxymoron, but in China it is becoming a tangible reality. The “Da zi” phenomenon seems to want to demonstrate that love can be calculated, measured and, above all, temporary.
It is not a simple trend, but a pragmatic response to a demographic problem: 34 million more men than women. Be careful, this is not a story of desperation, but a form of "sentimental innovation" that could rewrite the rules of attraction and coexistence. Even in the West? Let's analyze calmly.
The context: a demographic problem becomes an opportunity
Imagine a world where love is no longer a "permanent contract", but a "deadline project". A flexible deal that can be adapted to everyone's needs. Someone will tell me about prenuptial agreements and other situations. It's not the same. Welcome to the world of "Da zi", a Chinese phenomenon that is revolutionizing the concept of love relationships.
China is known for having one of the most unbalanced gender ratios in the world, with 34 million more men compared to women. The pragmatic attitude (typical of the Chinese) to this disparity has given rise to an interesting phenomenon: the emergence of “short-term love” relationships, known as “From uncles”. This term, which translated means “everything can be combined”, represents a new way of seeing relationships, focused on specific and pleasant activities for both parties.
The love equation: numbers and possibilities
If an average relationship lasts from five to ten years, short-term relationships offer the chance to form dozens of new bonds, involving a greater number of potential partners. It's not just a question of quantity, but of quality. The numbers don't lie: Temporary relationships increase everyone's chances of finding the right person.
But is it really so?
In an article su PsychologyToday il Dr. Randi Gunther, writes that you can't measure love and happiness with a calculator. The challenge of short-term relationships is learning to love authentically, fully, and honestly, regardless of any guarantees for an imagined future. This is a crucial point that should not be underestimated.
Rewrite the rules
Among the things that “Da zi” could make other companies reflect on is that relationships could become shorter, perhaps (and I say perhaps) more satisfying, but also extremely specific.
If this trend were to develop elsewhere, it would end up redesigning our social fabric. We may have to reinvent and perhaps even refine, for obvious reasons, the “it takes a village” philosophy of raising children. What we would now call a “nonlinear family” would become the norm. Bad? A good thing? This isn't the right question.
Short term, long term, relationships (including marriages) are not inherently healthy or unhealthy. And that doesn't mean they can be replaced by temporary sexual or emotional partnerships. What I'm saying is that, as China's attempt shows us (moreover not the first) to address its gender inequity situation, new or unusual circumstances may force us to be open to new social alternatives.
More than likely, future relationships will be a mix of temporary, permanent, monogamous, polyamorous, solitary, or other possible combinations. After all, love is a journey, not a destination. Or not?
