I think that, as Heinlein postulated, marriage would become more of a finite term contract with options for 'renewal'. Things like monogamy, etc. would be clauses in the contract.
Of course, then there's the whole have's vs. have not's thing - people with the longevity vs people who may not be able to get it.
Anyone who thinks this type of postulation is new ought to check out the 'Lazarus Long' storyline in Robert Heinlein's adult series of novels. Heinlein discussed how practical (>200 yrs) immortality would impact the family, morality, technology, careers, etc. For example, what's the real difference between you, at age 230, and your son, who's 210?
I think that even now we're seeing some of the leading effects of longevity as people lead longer, healthier lives. The most obvious is retirement. In the states, we used to retire at 65 and sit around for seven or eight years until we died. Now, people 'retire' sightly earlier, but are really moving on to second careers - doing what they 'really want to do'.
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I think that, as Heinlein postulated, marriage would become more of a finite term contract with options for 'renewal'. Things like monogamy, etc. would be clauses in the contract.
Of course, then there's the whole have's vs. have not's thing - people with the longevity vs people who may not be able to get it.
Anyone who thinks this type of postulation is new ought to check out the 'Lazarus Long' storyline in Robert Heinlein's adult series of novels. Heinlein discussed how practical (>200 yrs) immortality would impact the family, morality, technology, careers, etc. For example, what's the real difference between you, at age 230, and your son, who's 210?
I think that even now we're seeing some of the leading effects of longevity as people lead longer, healthier lives. The most obvious is retirement. In the states, we used to retire at 65 and sit around for seven or eight years until we died. Now, people 'retire' sightly earlier, but are really moving on to second careers - doing what they 'really want to do'.