Interesting take, I think it’s got validity. The state has become paternal / maternal (responsible for education & perpetual dependencies), it’s replaced religion for many, and (as you aptly pointed out) it’s actually fulfilling the role of protector and “partner” to many (especially women and to certain minorities).

A very popular modern take for younger women is that they don’t need a man and they don’t want children. They’re stuck in this bizarre adolescent-like stasis where all they chase is satisfaction of their own pleasure center and they have a visceral repulsion to serious responsibilities or hard work.

These women can make good money doing fake work (zoom meetings and emails and “reports” that mean nothing). They all live in cities, spend lots of time curating their narcissistic social media facades, eat out often, date prolifically but never commit, live for the weekend or the next “big” event, and never assume real responsibilities.

It will be interesting to see this archetype when they’re 50 years old.