Thank you @Innerzone. I tried explaining it to my brother and offered research but he declined my offer and I left it at that

What you have highlighted in your post is also a foundation for the delusion that Singletons are "less than" Marrieds. This is very problematic.

Not that all married folks are enmeshed but many are. And many live separate lives under the same roof. Yet marriage, for most, is deemed far superior to a single life. If you're interested on the research, give me a shout. I know of a good speaker on the subject. It's quite fascinating when I gather enough patience not to be irritated by the hostility which often arises against Singletons I made a post a while ago about how I think this trend of marriage as the ultimate goal is actually driven by commercialism. I didn't have any takers but that is my hunch....on the macro level....on the micro level most people are afraid to be alone so the idea of a single life is coupled with fear (or in some cases a sense of shame). We see this often, right? "I know it's a terrible relationship and it's making me ill but I don't want to leave." And I'm not judging here but describing. I have a lot of empathy for people in unhappy relationships. That's why I reply a lot in the relationships section here. I spent quite a few years in a miserable relationship myself....the pain is not unfamiliar to me.