If you ask me, one of million reasons why male and female seek the real thing is that our western lives are way to convenient. We watch those who do live a real life from the distance. Zivilisation robbed us of our physical duties like building shelter, making food available and taking care of the young and the elderly.
Now that everything is provided (houses, food, energy, transportation) nothing is left but looking for things which substitute the work for basic needs. I've heard of the saying that former "man" was just hunting and gathering for four hours a day and spent the rest of it with leazure time.
Art, technology, sciences, spiritual matters are the realms we visit and try to make use of our time. Maybe the vast majority just let's the life clock ticking down until death. Many of us are Indiana Jones's on the hunt for adventures, history, secrets, the untouched, the unknown. Many want to learn, seek role models and try to be good people. Many want to give & share to gain meaning.
I don't know what it's all about. I guess it is about being content. Life has it's own meaning and men are men and women are women.
But of course I am always tempted to feel connected and raising questions like yours.
For this particular posting I give you a book recommendation - you maybe like it: