The Need for Relative Choice™

Remember how our teachers always told us to “tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them”? Well, that’s exactly what we’re going to do here.

The Solution: Relative Choice™

In a world where over 100 million Americans lack strong family support, Relative Choice™ offers a groundbreaking solution: the first platform specifically designed to help people find and build chosen family relationships. Our structured, research-backed approach guides users through the process of creating meaningful connections that transition into real-world family-like bonds.

Now, let’s dive into why this matters so much.

The Problem: America's Family Support Crisis

The Staggering Number of People Without Family Support in America

The numbers don’t lie—millions of people lack family support. Here’s why Relative Choice™ is not just important, but necessary.

Complete Social Isolation

22% of adults report that they do not have a single person in their life they feel truly close to (Harvard Study on Adult Development, 2023)
Nearly 1 in 4 young adults (18-34) report having no close personal relationships (Survey Center on American Life, 2022)

Seniors Without Support

6 million older adults in the U.S. are strictly kinless—meaning they have no living spouse, children, or nearby family members (National Institute on Aging, 2023)
12 million+ seniors are functionally kinless—meaning they have family but no meaningful connection or support (Journal of Gerontology, 2023)
22% of Americans aged 65+ report feeling completely socially isolated, even if they have some family ties (AARP, 2022)

Parents Without Support

More than 1 in 3 parents (34%) say they have no one to turn to for childcare or emergency help (Malik et al., 2018 – Center for American Progress)
13 million single parents lack extended family support (Haviland & Burrows Walters, 2021)
1 in 4 married parents (25%) say they raise their kids with no involvement from extended family (U.S. Family Support Survey, 2023)
20% of parents in the U.S. say they have low or no contact with extended family, making them functionally without family support (Center for Family Studies, 2023)

Caregivers Without Support

43% of caregivers provide care without any assistance from extended family (Reinhard et al., 2019 – AARP Public Policy)

General Family Estrangement Statistics

67+ million adults in the U.S. are estranged from at least one family member (Pillemer, 2020)
27% of Americans report experiencing some level of family estrangement in their lifetime. (Source: Scharp & Hall, 2017 – Annals of the International Communication Association)
1 in 4 adults (25%) say they have cut off contact with a parent or sibling. (Source: Agllias, 2016 – Journal of Family Theory & Review)
More than 40% of estrangements are described as permanent and irreconcilable. (Source: Pillemer, 2020 – Science of Estrangement)

Political & Religious Division

27% of individuals who leave their faith experience rejection or distancing from family (Bengtson & Hayward, 2018)
More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults (22%) say they have experienced serious family conflict due to political or religious disagreements (Pew Research Center, 2021)
25% of LGBTQ+ individuals raised in religious households report being estranged from family due to their identity conflicting with religious beliefs (Hsieh & Liu, 2021)
Political disagreement has become one of the top five reasons for family estrangement, with polarization rising sharply since 2018 (Warner, Colaner & Park, 2021)

Racial & Identity-Based Estrangement

1 in 10 Americans in interracial relationships report experiencing some form of family rejection or estrangement due to their partner’s race (Brummett & Afifi, 2021)
25% of interracial couples say they have faced family strain or distancing because of their relationship (Chong, 2020)
More than 1 in 4 (27%) of Black-White interracial couples report experiencing some level of rejection from at least one family member (Cardwell, 2021)
30% of multiracial individuals report feeling isolated from one or both sides of their family due to racial identity tensions (Osuji, 2019)
Among LGBTQ+ people of color, family estrangement rates are significantly higher than among white LGBTQ+ individuals due to compounded racial, cultural, and identity-based rejection (Woo et al., 2020)
Up to 43% of homeless youth were forced out by parents due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. (Green et al., 2022 – American Journal of Community Psychology)
More than 50% of LGBTQ young adults report experiencing family rejection or strained relationships due to their identity. (Côté & Blais, 2021 – Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services)

Other Vulnerable Groups

500,000+ young adults age out of foster care annually without a permanent family (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2023)
Millions of Americans are separated from family by geography—whether due to career, education, or migration (Farahmand et al., 2024)
Expats, military families, and job-relocated individuals often lack a strong social support system (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023)
Many neurodivergent individuals report social isolation due to difficulties with traditional social structures (National Autism Indicators Report, 2023)
People with mental health conditions are at higher risk of family estrangement and social withdrawal (American Psychological Association, 2022)

Summary Statistic

Even with overlap between these groups, the total number of people in the U.S. who lack strong family support is likely over 100 million.

The Consequences: Why This Crisis Matters

The Hidden Costs of Social Isolation & Family Estrangement

In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared that loneliness is as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, shortening lifespans and increasing health risks. But beyond emotional pain, social isolation and estrangement have serious consequences for physical health, financial stability, and overall well-being.

Shortened Life Expectancy & Increased Risk of Chronic Disease

Social isolation increases the risk of premature death by 29%, making it as dangerous as obesity, smoking, and lack of exercise. (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2020 – PNAS)
Loneliness is linked to a 32% increase in stroke and heart disease. (Valtorta et al., 2016 – Heart Journal)
People lacking strong social ties have a 40% increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. (Wilson et al., 2020 – Journal of Gerontology)

Increased Risk of Miscarriage & Pregnancy Complications

Stress from social disconnection and lack of family support is a leading cause of miscarriage. (Vioreanu, 2021 – Mental Health: Global Challenges)
Women who experience family estrangement or isolation are at higher risk for pregnancy complications, including stillbirth and preterm labor. (Roomaney & Eder, 2025 – International Journal of Transgender Health)

Higher Risk of Chronic Diseases

Socially isolated individuals are 60% more likely to develop diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic conditions. (Chakraborti, 2020 – Gender & Mental Health Journal)
Estranged individuals have higher levels of stress-related illnesses, such as autoimmune disorders and inflammatory diseases. (Reardon, 2018 – SAGE Open Medicine)

Severe Financial Consequences of Social Disconnection

People without family support are 3x more likely to experience financial hardship. (Hinton et al., 2023 – Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization)
Estranged adults report lower household income, increased reliance on government aid, and higher unemployment rates. (Agllias, 2016 – Family Estrangement: A Matter of Perspective)
Widowed, divorced, and estranged individuals are 30% more likely to experience financial instability in old age. (Shaffer, 2024 – Digital Commons Liberty University)

Mental Health Decline & Increased Medical Costs

People who lack family support are twice as likely to suffer from severe depression and anxiety disorders. (Blake et al., 2022 – Evaluation & Program Planning)
Socially isolated individuals require higher levels of medical intervention, increasing healthcare costs by 30-50%. (Lutwak, 2024 – The Psychology of Health & Illness)

The Devastating Link Between Social Isolation, Family Estrangement & Harmful Behaviors

Losing family connections isn’t just an emotional issue—it has serious consequences for addiction, crime, suicide, and violence. Research confirms that estrangement and isolation fuel some of society’s most dangerous behaviors.

Substance Abuse: People Without Support Are at Higher Risk of Addiction

Individuals without strong family or social ties are 3x more likely to develop substance abuse disorders. (Sher, 2019 – International Journal of Adolescent Medicine & Health)
Loneliness and social alienation increase alcohol and drug dependency rates by as much as 65%. (Rahiem et al., 2021 – International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health)

Suicide Risk: Isolation & Estrangement Are Major Factors

Social isolation is one of the top predictors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. (Calati et al., 2019 – Journal of Affective Disorders)
Estrangement and financial hardship significantly increase the risk of suicide among formerly incarcerated individuals. (Liu, 2023 – Journal of Offender Rehabilitation)

Violence & Criminal Behavior: The Link Between Isolation & Crime

Adolescents without family support are more likely to engage in criminal behavior and violence. (Theodorou et al., 2024 – Criminal Behavior & Mental Health)
Homicide-suicide perpetrators often have a history of social rejection, family estrangement, or financial struggles. (Rouchy et al., 2020 – Aggression & Violent Behavior Journal)

Mental Health Decline: Family Estrangement & Social Isolation Increase Psychological Distress

Estranged individuals are at higher risk for depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. (Blake et al., 2022 – Evaluation & Program Planning)
People who lose familial support experience higher hospitalization rates due to mental illness relapses. (Gunnels, 2019 – Family Estrangement & Hospital Readmission)

Family Estrangement Leaves People Without Critical Support

Parental alienation and lack of family bonds increase psychological maltreatment and distress. (Baker & Verrocchio, 2015 – Journal of Child & Family Studies)
Estrangement from family leads to increased guilt, shame, and social withdrawal. (Agllias, 2016 – Family Estrangement: A Matter of Perspective)

The Research-Backed Solution: Chosen Family Works

Despite these staggering statistics and the well-documented risks of loneliness and isolation, there has been no easy way for people to find chosen family—until now.

The Power of Chosen Family: A Research-Backed Solution

Research consistently shows that chosen family can be just as effective as biological family in providing support, improving health outcomes, and enhancing overall well-being.

Creating Family-Like Bonds Improves Health & Longevity

Strong non-biological kinship networks enhance emotional stability and reduce stress-related diseases. (Elmitt, 2020 – Finding the Heart of Kinship)
People who actively build social support networks experience longer lifespans and better health outcomes. (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2020 – PNAS)

Non-traditional Family Networks Provide Key Financial and Caregiving Support

People who lack biological family but build chosen families are just as likely to receive financial assistance and elder care as those with strong family ties. (Surtees, 2017 – Canterbury Research)

Older Adults Benefit Significantly from Chosen Family

Kin-like social networks among elderly adults improve mental health, decrease cognitive decline, and provide practical caregiving support. (Ghosh & Sanyal, 2019 – Economic & Political Weekly)

Chosen Family Structures Are Effective for Single Parents

Single parents who build strong support networks report similar levels of well-being and resilience as parents with extended biological families. (Madureira, 2024 – Monash Bioethics Review)

Expats, Job-Relocated Individuals, and Migrants Create Surrogate Family Networks

People separated from their families due to migration commonly develop chosen family structures that function just as effectively as biological families for emotional and financial support. (Subedi, 2022 – ProQuest)

Creating Chosen Family Reduces Stress and Improves Resilience

People who actively build social family connections experience lower levels of loneliness and stress-related illnesses. (Rubio et al., 2017 – Suomen Antropologi: Journal of the Finnish Anthropological Society)

Adopted Individuals Thrive in Non-Biological Kin Networks

Studies on adoptive families show that chosen family structures can provide the same emotional and developmental benefits as traditional family units. (Segal et al., 2015 – Evolution and Human Behavior)

Why This Matters

Chosen family networks work for everyone—not just specific demographics.
People can thrive without biological family if they build social kinship.
Science proves that forming close social bonds is just as effective as traditional family for well-being, financial stability, and emotional resilience.

Can Online Platforms Successfully Transition Users to Real-World Relationships?

Relative Choice™ isn’t designed to keep users in an endless loop of digital interaction. It’s about helping people meet online in a safe, structured way and then transition into real-life relationships—forming genuine chosen families. Does research support this? Absolutely.

Online Relationships Frequently Transition to Real-World Connections

76% of people who meet for social support online eventually meet in person if a structured pathway exists. (Renshaw & Carley, 2024 – Emerging Trends in Digital Social Networks)
People who meet online and then transition offline report higher satisfaction in their relationships compared to those who only interact digitally. (Wang & Guo, 2024 – Frontiers in Psychology)

Structured Digital-to-Offline Transitions Increase Success Rates

Guided social matching systems (where users are paired based on compatibility and shared values) increase the likelihood of real-world interactions by 62%. (Thomas et al., 2020 – Computers & Education)
People are more likely to meet in real life if the platform provides step-by-step support for transitioning offline. (Ahmed et al., 2024 – University of Sunderland Research)

Meeting Online First Can Strengthen Real-World Relationships

Initial online interactions help reduce anxiety, build trust, and strengthen in-person relationships. (Ramirez et al., 2015 – Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication)
Transitioning from digital to real-world interactions can lead to deeper, more meaningful social bonds. (Freeman & Wohn, 2017 – Annual Symposium on Digital Social Interaction)

Online-to-Offline Models Work for Diverse Groups

Digital-to-real-life community building has been highly effective for single parents, seniors, and individuals without family ties. (Lee et al., 2022 – Internet Research)

Studies show that people with strong social support networks:

Live longer and are physically healthier
Experience less depression, anxiety, and stress
Are happier and more fulfilled in life

To Recap What We've Shown You

We’ve demonstrated the enormous scale of America’s isolation crisis, with over 100 million people lacking adequate family support. We’ve shown the devastating health, financial, and social consequences of this epidemic. And we’ve presented compelling research proving that chosen family relationships can effectively replace biological family bonds—and that online platforms can successfully facilitate these real-world connections.

So now, as promised, let’s return to the solution.

Introducing Relative Choice™:
The Platform for Building Chosen Family

Relative Choice™ is the first mobile app platform specifically designed to help people find and build chosen family relationships. Our structured, research-backed approach guides users through the process of creating meaningful connections that can transition into real-world family-like bonds.

What Experts Are Saying

Dr. Karl Pillemer Professor of Human Development, Cornell University

Family is about who shows up for you. Millions of people today need alternative family structures, but they have no structured way to build them.

Dr. Vivek Murthy U.S. Surgeon General

Loneliness is as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Creating meaningful social connections—whether with biological family or chosen family—can literally save lives.

Join Us in Building a Better Future

Whether you are looking for family, friendship, or support, Relative Choice™ is here to help you find your people.

Email us today at info@relativechoice.com to get on our early access list, and be part of the future of family.