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Notes -
I know this forum is more focused on a specific cohort (intelligent, financially successful, often romantically not so much) but I'm approaching this issue from a different angle - a family member who is a classic disabled NEET in his early 30s. Near the bottom of the desirability totem pole, the question of 'fold' vs 'improve' has to contend with the latter having a very significant chance of being very costly in rime & effort and bearing absolutely zero fruit. This is where a lot of 'resent' cases come from, (though not all) but luckily that doesnt seem to be a major factor for now.
The question in these cases is, at what point is it rational to cut one's losses?
The thing about 'improve' is that it's generally the right decision even if your chance of finding a mate is 0. It's just that it's also by far the hardest option, and finding a romantic partner is good motivation to pick the hard road.
I would say instead that 'improve' efforts should be realistic, which means focusing on foundational things like getting a job and maintaining a stable emotional state before trying to start a family.
Yeah. Unless he gets maimed from a weightlifting accident or something he's going to be better off from self improvement.
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How far has your family member dropped their standards when it comes to an acceptable mate?
Where does he want the ambulances? I'm not entirely clear if a relationship with the type of person he can attract as he is would be good for anyone concerned. Maybe it would be.
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