2/3 of Americans Believe in Soulmates

Sadly, that belief doesn't always work out...
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 11, 2010 4:48 PM CDT
2/3 of Americans Believe in Soulmates
Americans are romanced by the idea of soulmates, a new poll shows.   (©Nina Matthews Photography)

America is captivated by "soulmate stories," and a whopping two-thirds of Americans believe in the idea of soulmates—ie, two people who are "destined to be together," according to a new poll. The only problem is that those hopeless romantics are 150% more likely to divorce than those with more traditional or religious views. And couples who believe themselves to be soulmates may be happy at first, but become disenchanted as the intensity of their connection fades over time, the lead researcher tells the Washington Times.

"In a word, the more spouses embrace the married state, and the institutional norms that go with it, the more they enjoy it," he wrote in the study. The study also found that women are more likely to believe in soulmates than men, and younger people more likely than older people. When asked if they married "the right person," 95% of respondents said yes—no word, however, on whether or not that person was their soulmate.
(More soulmates stories.)

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