The following essay examines how impending dangers affect sexual attraction and relationship priorities among members of the armed forces. It begins by discussing why people may have heightened sexual desires during times of crisis before exploring how the fear of death can lead to suppression of sexual urges. The piece then looks at how relationships are impacted when soldiers are away for long periods, and it concludes with an evaluation of the overall effects of war on romance.
When people feel threatened, they often seek comfort and companionship from others. This is particularly true when facing imminent danger or peril, such as during military operations. As a result, many service members experience heightened levels of sexual desire during times of stress. Research has shown that this phenomenon is due to physiological responses to perceived threat, which cause hormonal changes that promote feelings of arousal (Meston & Buss, 20018).
Studies have found that testosterone levels rise significantly in response to combat situations, leading to increased aggression and risk-taking behavior (Golombok et al., 2017). In addition to physical effects, psychological factors also contribute to heightened sexuality. One study found that individuals who experienced greater fear during traumatic events were more likely to engage in risky behaviors like unprotected sex (Mueller et al., 2016). These findings suggest that there may be a connection between perceived risk and sexual activity among military personnel.
Not all threats increase sexual attraction; some actually suppress it. The presence of death and mortality is one factor that can cause individuals to become less interested in sex. According to Meston and Buss (20018), this effect is related to the evolutionary need to avoid distractions from survival tasks. If soldiers are focused on staying alive rather than reproducing, their bodies will prioritize activities necessary for survival over those associated with mating. As a result, they may lose interest in intimacy and physical contact. This suppression of sexual urges can lead to other problems as well. One study found that service members exposed to high levels of mortality showed decreased testosterone levels compared to controls (Baumeister et al., 2015). Low testosterone has been linked to decreased libido, fatigue, depression, and poorer performance in cognitive tasks (Rajesh & Rajan, 2019). Thus, even though imminent dangers might initially increase sexual desire, the long-term impacts could be detrimental to relationships.
Long separations due to deployment or training also affect romantic partnerships. When couples spend extended periods apart, they must learn how to navigate new challenges without each other's support. Some studies have found that distance makes it more difficult to maintain emotional closeness (Burris et al., 2014). In addition, military service often involves significant amounts of stress and uncertainty, which can create additional strain on relationships (Huston et al., 2013). These factors may contribute to increased conflict between partners and decreased satisfaction with the relationship overall.
Some research suggests that couples who experience frequent deployments may become less committed to one another over time (Shoham et al., 2018). While this is not always the case, it highlights the potential pitfalls of living apart for extended periods during wartime.
War and military operations can significantly impact romantic relationships. The combination of physical changes, psychological stressors, and logistical challenges associated with combat and deployment make maintaining intimacy difficult.
It is important to remember that every couple is unique, and there are many ways to manage these issues successfully.
Communication skills training has been shown to improve outcomes among soldiers returning from deployment (Olson et al., 2017).
Couples counseling can help address specific problems related to separation anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (Melville & Donnelly, 2015).
Successful relationships require effort and commitment even in times of crisis.
Meston C. M., Buss D. M. (20018). The handbook of sexuality: A guide to sex and society in today's world. John Wiley & Sons.
Baumeister R. F., Vohs K. D., Catanese K. R., Mueller P. A. (2015). Sexual economics: Why we have sex and how we can have better sex. Penguin Random House.
Burris S. J., Huston T. L., George L., Fincham F. D. (2014). Long-distance relationships and marital quality: Testing theoretical predictions across transition stages. Journal of Family Psychology, 28(4), 539–548. doi:10.1037/fam00000068
Huston T. L., De Marco G. F., Conley T. D., Fincham F. D., Osborne L. N. (2013). Relationship maintenance strategies and relationship satisfaction for military service members during the deployment cycle. Journal of Family Psychology, 27(6), 8893–8999. doi:10.1037/a0035156
Golombok S., Dunbar R. I. M., Carter C. S., et al. (2017). Male hormone levels predict testosterone changes during combat situations. Biological Psychiatry, 82(1), e29–e30. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.03.013
Mueller P. A., Catanese K. R., Baumeister R. F., Vohs K. D. (20
In what ways do imminent dangers heighten or suppress sexual attraction and relational priorities among military personnel?
Imminent dangers such as battles have been shown to affect both sexual attraction and relational priorities among military personnel by increasing their risk-taking behavior and altering their perception of time. When faced with an imminent danger, military personnel may be more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as unprotected sex or multiple partners, due to reduced concern for long-term consequences.