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This historical, conjugal reality is particularly driven by antagonisms, by multiple conflictual elements, both internal and external, which are in a permanent state of tension with each other. The author examines, on the one hand: these internal conflicts which are structural, of a psychic order (intra- and inter-) integrating the interiorization of cultural aspects; on the other hand, the external conflicts between the powers represented by families, States and Churches, in tension with each other, which tried to control the conjugal institution. It seems to me that the evolution of our Western society towards the prevalence of individualism has necessarily been accompanied by a marked weakening of these historically traditional powers in contradistinction to other contemporary societies, whose repercussions on modern couples are to be considered. Hence, the author envisages some of their sociological characteristics and among those, the specialists emphasize in particular: the historical and mutative transition from a traditional institutional definition of the couple, in terms of marriage, to an internal and largely intersubjective definition of the contemporary couple which is no longer or barely guaranteed by institutions; their unstability and fragility; an excess of mutual expectations and demands vis-à-vis the couple and the loving partner which is combined with the strength of the individual and identity-related claims; the central role of sexuality. However, these couples are exemplary representatives of our Western society, which has taken a markedly individualistic turn and is traversed by pathogenic and paradoxical “currents”. He undertakes to point them out and to develop a sociopsychoanalytic reflection.