Online dating and it's effect on modern relationships
I’m the first sucker to be more likely to do something if it’s gamified. What can I say, I’m a simple being. That’s why I signed up to Tinder in the first place, it looked fun. That’s gamification for you. Armed with the mighty power of the swipe-right to bestow upon those who you see fit and of course, the ultimate objective being to find love.
We are bought up to believe that choice is the best thing for us. Whether it’s supermarkets stocking different versions of what is essentially exactly the same item, 20 different colours of the same top or thousands of different eligible bachelors or bachelorettes on your chosen online dating platform. The premise is, if there’s loads of choice, there must be someone out there for you. This is what attracts so many people to online dating.
I’ve found myself in many Complicationships of my own. Blurred boundaries, official/unofficial, just friends? Modern dating is a confusing place and the world of online dating, doesn’t help. Whether it’s being too afraid to admit to feelings, not understanding where I stand with someone, or having to play by the crazy amount of unwritten rules of online dating, I’ve probably been there and for some reason I want to share my glorious experiences with you guys.
More people now than ever are taking the plunge and signing up to various forms of online dating. However, only 5% of Americans saying they met their exclusive partners online. So online dating seems kind of pointless if a long term relationship is what you desire.
So, if the traditional, exclusive form of dating is lost on online dating sites, what is taking it’s place? Hook-ups, ‘friends with benefits’ and open relationships are contemporary relationship arrangements that add to the confusing muddle that is modern dating. I call these complicated forms of relationships: Complicationships.
With a sparkling, seemingly perfect new date a simple click away, there isn’t the incentive to work on relationships. And with these new types of romantic ‘arrangements’ how can anyone understand how they work?
I will also be looking at social media’s impact on modern dating and offering you guys some advice on how to cope with the unforgiving realm of online dating.
This should be interesting.