Compare And Contrast Essay: Online Dating vs. Real-Life Dating

The need for human connection drives people to look in various ways; some people choose to meet people online, while others prefer real-life in-person situations to meet people.  For myself and my wife, we met online. As someone who dislikes the typical bar scene, I felt I needed an alternate means to find a connection. As an introvert, I found it easier to meet and talk to people online than in face-to-face situations.

Personality traits can affect a person’s comfort level and drive how they prefer to interact with people. Real-life dating is much more common for extroverted people who frequent bars and larger social gatherings. But for an introvert, the online method can give a sense of a barrier, allowing the person to feel freer to communicate more and be in a more comfortable environment. One must also understand the vices that would enable someone to open up. Some extroverts can also communicate better while drinking; however, drinking can lead to other issues while trying to meet others. 

Online dating can also be safer in some circumstances. Online dating allows for more time to make an intellectual connection without other distractions.  There is a greater chance of being put in a more vulnerable situation meeting in real life at a bar. Alcohol can also give a false sense of a person’s personality. Nevertheless, the online method can have its drawbacks as well. People are potentially more apt to lie online by using false pictures or information. The term “catfishing” refers to people providing incorrect information on social media or over cell phones. 

Modern technology makes it much easier to meet people online. Social media has given people the ability to find old acquaintances from school or previous workplaces. Technology offers many different means to meet various types of people from many other locations. Real-life dating limits you to local areas, and a lot of times, the same people frequent the same places. Ultimately, people who meet online can eventually meet face to face and move their relationship further. 

During my dating era, face-to-face dating was the social norm. Online dating was in its infancy and still considered taboo. Online dating is now far more socially accepted. As dating has evolved to provide both real-life and online options, the playing field for introverts and extroverts has leveled.  While there are many differences between the online versus real-life dating experience, both allow any personality type to find the most basic human need; connection.  

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Online Dating Vs. Traditional Dating Essay

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Sociology , Business , Internet , Development , Life , Dating , Information , Time

Published: 03/22/2020

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Finding a partner has never been easy and often the process is uncertain, frustrating and can be lonely. Human beings are social beings, and we feel nice when we are loved or treasured by our significant other. This explains why most people are ready to go to any length to get a partner, a soul mate or a lover. The new technology has brought new changes in the world and one of the areas where the internet has brought a revolutionary change is the dating scene. People are now moving to the internet to find soul mates and life partners. Online dating is a personal introductory kind of a system where individuals find and contact one another over the internet to arrange a meeting or a date for that matter with the intention of developing a romantic, personal or sexual relationship. On the other hand, traditional dating involves meeting a person face to face for the first time and later developing the relationship by either meeting out for dinner or having fun together. Internet dating is slowly replacing traditional dating however traditional dating is still common, and many couples practice it. A lot of people are “e-dating” with hope of finding that perfect individual who they can spend some time with or settle down with. Online dating just like traditional dating has its advantages and disadvantages, but scholars argue that it has a lot of advantages than the traditional dating. It has the advantage to the people who may be uncomfortable meeting new people physically for the first time or who are new to the area. This process can be done from the comfort of an individual’s room and it is also convenient for those who have other responsibilities such as tight work schedules, travelling or other commitments in life that make going out to social places impossible. The internet has provided services that try to make the process of finding love as painless as possible, the dating services has chat rooms that individuals can get to know the other person without having the need to exchange contacts or photos. As the friendship grows, the two people can go forward and exchange contacts or plan to meet. Traditional dating can be a bit challenging since it most of the time involves striking a conversation with a stranger who may choose to ignore you. This can be awkward since it also requires frequent visits to the social places in an effort to find someone. The modern living has seen a reduction in the time we have to socialize since most of the time people are working or engaging into other business activities, these have put traditional dating at a disadvantage. In online dating, an individual has the comfort of browsing profiles of potential partners without the need to meet them physical. This enables him or her to narrow down to what he or she is looking for. However, the experience of meeting someone online may be impersonal and thrilling as compared to the excitement and the instant attraction of meeting someone for the first time in the traditional dating. Online dating usually provides an individual’s profile which includes a person’s photo, career aspirations, favorite movies and other basic information. The information often provided makes the process of starting a conversion less challenging since an individual knows some a bit of information about that person. On the other hand, traditional dating goes step by step that preserves an element of mystery that creates excitement as the two individuals goes on to know one another in the future. In traditional dating, there are rarely logistical issues since the individuals meet face to face as compared to the online dating which due to the increased scope. An individual may be dating another person living in another country, and it may be difficult to meet due to the travel concerns. When engaging in the traditional dating, a person is well aware of who they are dealing with which eliminates the chances of an individual lying about who they are or exaggerating their personal traits. In online dating, fake dates may exaggerate their history or personal attributes with an attempt to lure unsuspecting daters. This has been an issue in the recent years when date particularly teenager’s meet unscrupulous dates online and are lured into social evils without their consent. Traditional dating gives an individual the chance to ask friends and family more information about the other person before accepting to go out with them. This is not possible with the online kind of dating.

In conclusion, both online and traditional dating provides an opportunity for individual to meet that perfect someone, while online dating has recently been preferred due to our modern busy life, it has also its pitfalls that an individual needs to consider before engaging him or herself in it.Traditional dating also provides some aspects that are quite interesting even if it is being considered as outdated by many people; the individual has the choice to decide the best method suitable for them.

Colmer, R. S., & Thomas, T. M. (2005). The senior's guide to dating (again): Traditional and online. Chelsea, Mich: Eklektika Press. Elisar, S. (2007). Everyone's Guide to Online Dating: How to Find Love and Friendship on the Internet. Oxford: How To Books.

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Online Dating: A Critical Analysis From the Perspective of Psychological Science

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Online_Dating_Final-web

Although the authors find that online dating sites offer a distinctly different experience than conventional dating, the superiority of these sites is not as evident. Dating sites provide access to more potential partners than do traditional dating methods, but the act of browsing and comparing large numbers of profiles can lead individuals to commoditize potential partners and can reduce their willingness to commit to any one person. Communicating online can foster intimacy and affection between strangers, but it can also lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment when potential partners meet in real life. Although many dating sites tout the superiority of partner matching through the use of “scientific algorithms,” the authors find that there is little evidence that these algorithms can predict whether people are good matches or will have chemistry with one another.

The authors’ overarching assessment of online dating sites is that scientifically, they just don’t measure up. As online dating matures, however, it is likely that more and more people will avail themselves of these services, and if development — and use — of these sites is guided by rigorous psychological science, they may become a more promising way for people to meet their perfect partners.

Hear author Eli J. Finkel discuss the science behind online dating at the 24th APS Annual Convention .

About the Authors

Editorial: Online Dating:  The Current Status —and Beyond

By Arthur Aron

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I agree wholeheartedly that so-called scientific dating sites are totally off-base. They make worse matches than just using a random site. That’s because their matching criteria are hardly scientific, as far as romance goes. They also have a very small pool of educated, older men, and lots more women. Therefore they often come up with no matches at all, despite the fact that women with many different personality types in that age group have joined. They are an expensive rip-off for many women over 45.

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Speaking as someone who was recently “commoditized” by who I thought was a wonderful man I met on a dating site, I find that the types of people who use these services are looking at the wrong metrics when they seek out a prospective love interest. My mother and father had very few hobbies and interests in common, but because they shared the same core values, their love endured a lifetime. When I got dumped because I didn’t share my S.O.’s interests exactly down the line, I realized how dangerous this line of thinking truly is, how it marginalizes people who really want to give and receive love for more important reasons.

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I met a few potential love interests online and I never paid for any matching service! I did my own research on people and chatted online within a site to see if we had things in common. If we had a few things in common, we exchanged numbers, texted for a while, eventually spoke on the phone and if things felt right, we’d meet in a public place to talk. If that went well, we would have another date. I am currently with a man I met online and we have been together for two years! We have plans to marry in the future. But there is always the thought that if this doesn’t work out, how long will it take either of us to jump right back online to find the next possible love connection? I myself would probably start looking right away since looking for love online is a lengthy process!

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I knew this man 40 years ago as we worked in the same agency for two years but never dated. Last November 2013 I saw his profile on a dating site. My husband had died four years ago and his wife died 11 years ago. We dated for five months. I questioned him about his continued online search as I had access to his username. Five months into the friendship he told me he “Was looking for his dream women in cyberspace”. I think he has been on these dating sites for over 5 years. Needless to say I will not tolerate this and it was over. I am sad, frustrated and angry how this ended as underneath all of his insecurities, unresolved issues with his wife’s death he is a good guy. I had been on these dating sties for 2 and 1/2 years and now I am looking at Matchmaking services as a better choice in finding a “Better good guy”.

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I refer to these sites as “Designer Dating” sites. I liken the search process to ‘Window Shopping’. No-one seems very interested in making an actual purchase or commitment. I notice that all the previous comments are from women only. I agree with the article that says essentially, there are too many profiles and photos. Having fallen under this spell myself…”Oh, he’s nice but I’m sure there’s something better on the next page…” Click. Next. And on it goes. The term Chemistry gets thrown around a lot. I don’t know folks. I sure ain’t feelin’ it. Think I’ll go hang out with some friends now.

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Stumbling upon this article during research for my Master thesis and I am curious: Would you use an app, that introduces a new way of dating, solely based on your voice and who you are, rather than how you look like? To me, we don’t fall in love with someone because of their looks (or their body mass index for that matter) or because of an algorithm, but because of the way somebody makes you feel and the way s.o. makes you laugh. At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter if someone has blue or brown eyes and my experience is, that most people place fake, manipulated or outdated pictures online to sell someone we don’t really are. And we are definitely more than our looks. I found my partner online and we had no picture of each other for three months – but we talked every night for hours…. fell in love and still are after 10 years… We met on a different level and got aligned long before we met. So, the question is, would you give this way of meeting someone a chance… an app where you can listen in to answers people give to questions other user asked before and where you can get a feeling for somebody before you even see them?

APS regularly opens certain online articles for discussion on our website. Effective February 2021, you must be a logged-in APS member to post comments. By posting a comment, you agree to our Community Guidelines and the display of your profile information, including your name and affiliation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations present in article comments are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of APS or the article’s author. For more information, please see our Community Guidelines .

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compare and contrast online dating vs traditional dating essay

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Dating Essay

Writing an essay about online dating? It will be helpful to read through some examples first. Below, you will find one such online dating advantages and disadvantages essay.

Introduction

Online dating refers to an activity through which individuals socialize and get to know each other on the internet (Elisar 1). In developed countries, online dating has become a normal activity. In the UK, it is estimated that online dating sites attract up to 10 million users every month.

The history of online dating can be traced back to the late 20 th century when the internet was invented. When the internet was first introduced to the public, people used to communicate via chat rooms. With time, spammers and criminals invaded the chat rooms and compromised their usability.

It was not long before dating websites emerged to protect those who wanted to socialize on the internet. Currently, dating sites have attracted millions of users becoming one of the most preferred means of interacting with people on the internet. Despite its popularity, there are risks associated with using these services. This paper focuses on the merits and demerits of online dating with respect to dating in a more traditional way.

Advantages of Online Dating

Unlike offline dating, online dating allows the user to interact with millions of people without having to travel. With offline dating, individuals have to travel across cities, regions, and sometimes countries. This is not only time consuming but also costly. It is estimated that using offline dating can cost an individual up to $100 in a single night. The cost is higher because it requires an individual to visit popular joints, bars, hotels, or nightclubs and have a snack or a drink.

Even so, there are no assurances that the time, attempts, and cash would yield a positive result. On the other hand, online dating will cost the user little or no money. Some sites charge little monthly fee whereas others charge no fee. The monthly fee charged by these websites are insignificant compared to the money spend on offline dating. Similarly, there are more risks associated with having to travel to meet strangers compared to meeting them online.

As suggested above, it is apparent that online dating increases the scope of search for those who are single. When singles join online dating sites, they get the opportunity to interact with millions of users. With offline dating, these people would not have interacted because they come from different offices, cities, regions, or countries. This implies that through online dating, singles can increase their scope of search.

Online dating increases the chances of individuals who might not otherwise get the chance to date offline. Individuals who are unable to attend social events or meetings regularly such as busy professionals, disabled, and single parents will find online dating sites useful unlike offline dating.

Similarly, individuals with small social circles such as tourists and recent divorcees will find online dating useful compared to offline dating. Other individuals who will find online dating useful are people who are shy, people who would like to know more about their friends before meeting them, and people who do not enjoy loud social situations associated with offline dating.

Another reason why online dating is preferred over offline dating is that it allows singles to meet other singles with equal interests with ease. Through offline dating, singles will have to date a number of other singles for them to meet like-minded partners. As such, those who have met their partners through offline dating attribute their success to fate. Through online dating, the success does not depend on fate because the service allows the users to filter their potential matches based on age, height, race, interests, and careers.

Equally, online dating unlike offline dating allows users to conceal their anonymity and have control over their relationships. In the society, there are individuals who are reluctant to let unfamiliar persons into their lives straight away.

Online dating will come in handy for such individuals because through it they can be able to control their relations without giving out too much information about themselves. Certainly, interacting online and finding strangers okay should not be considered as a guarantee that they are satisfactory. For this reason, the ability to control your privacy while interacting is appropriate.

Disadvantages of Online Dating

Despite its popularity, there are some disadvantages associated with online dating with respect to offline dating. Unlike when dating through conventional ways, it has been established that most of the people using online dating sites are liars. They lie about their attributes, jobs, properties, salary, and their marital status.

Notably, it has been identified that men lie about how tall they are, while women down play their height. Similarly, Toma and Hanrock did a study on the physical appearance of those using online dating (Knox 135). In their study, they noted that the lesser the attractiveness of individuals, the higher their chances of enhancing their profile pictures on online dating sites. With the use of offline dating, such lies could have been eliminated.

Similarly, with the use of online dating some people have been able to lie about their marital status. Research shows that 30% of those using online dating are married and often lie about their marital status (Knox 136). There are instances where married men have been able to maintain several simultaneous online relationships with other women.

These men managed to lie to several women and made wedding proposals to a number of them. Although the same situations can happen during offline dating, it should be noted that the extent of lies perpetuated through conventional dating is minimal and less severe compared to the lies perpetuated on the internet.

Another disadvantage associated with online dating is having unlimited number of options. On the internet, a soul searcher can find hundreds of options. The more the number of options, the less a user will be able to scrutinize each profile. Through offline dating, an individual’s option is limited.

This implies that he or she will have enough time to access the character of the potential partner. Equally, it has been found that many of those dating online have higher chances of breaking up compared to those dating through conventional ways. This can be attributed to the many options presented on online dating sites. Therefore, when hurdles arise in a relationship an individual will opt to dump his or her partner in favor of a better option.

Unlike through conventional dating ways, online dating increases the risk of meeting sex offenders and scammers. Because users can conceal their identities when using online dating, sex offenders find the sites attractive for their ill motives. These cyber criminals can overcome the security measures put by the owners of the website by using fake names.

Therefore, those using online dating sites should be weary of such individuals. They should not give out their home address, phone numbers, or other private details in a hurry. In general, there are a few risks of meeting sex offenders or scammers through conventional dating compared to online dating.

Another major concerned faced by those using cyber dates is security. Despite the fact that the owners of dating websites have put in place security measures, some cybercriminals can manage to crack them and steal information from their users. By obtaining the users’ email and passwords, cybercriminals can get access to the users’ messages. On the contrary, there is no security issue concerning personal information when an individual dates through conventional ways.

In conclusion, it should be noted that there are benefits and risks associated with online dating. Its advantages are online dating allows the user to interact with millions of people without having to travel, it increases the scope of search for those who are single, increases the chances of individuals who might not otherwise get the chance to date offline, and allows users to conceal their anonymity and have control over their relationships. Despite its popularity, there are some disadvantages associated with online dating with respect to offline dating.

Unlike when dating through conventional ways, it has been established that most of the people using online dating sites are liars. They lie about their attributes, jobs, properties, salary, and their marital status. Another disadvantage associated with online dating is having unlimited number of options. Similarly, online dating increases the risks of meeting sex offenders and scammers. Lastly, a major concerned faced by those using cyber dates is security.

Works Cited

Elisar, Shimrit. Everyone’s guide to online dating: how to find love and friendship on the internet . Oxford: How To Books, 2007. Print.

Knox, David. Choices in relationships: an introduction to marriage and the family . 11 ed. St. Paul: West Pub. Co., 2011. Print.

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Online Dating vs. Traditional Dating, Essay Example

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Introduction

Many people today still believe in “love at first sight”. Men and women around the world fall in love with each other after meeting in person. However, some struggle to find somebody who would tick all the boxes and be a long term reliable partner. These individuals now have a tool claiming to match people on scientific basis. Online dating is similar to an internet shop: one logs on, looks around, chooses what they like, and makes a bid. There are some advantages and disadvantages of online and traditional dating, as well. The below essay will focus on the differences between the above described dating methods.

Traditional dating is spontaneous, and online dating is a conscious act. Those who believe in physical and emotional attraction and have time for socializing are likely to choose traditional dating. They can see the person they are making a vote on, and decide whether or not they are attracted to them. Traditional dating can also occur at events, workplaces, or school, and it brings forward several benefits, such as knowing about the person beforehand, seeing their behavior in social situations, and knowing how they speak, behave, or dress.

Online dating is for people with fewer social connections, while traditional dating is for those who want to experience “love at first sight” . For many people, choosing a person with the same interest is extremely important, therefore, they seek new acquaintances in their regular environment. Those who attend sports events might become attracted to someone from another group of fans, or people who are keen on photography might find their perfect match at an exhibition. There is already one point of connection, and the two people will have something to start the conversation with. They will have one common interest already, and can decide immediately whether or not they would like to get to know each other more.

Online dating is riskier than traditional dating. Online dating, however, is similar to “dating in the dark”. As people can put anything on their profile they like, and no information is checked, one needs to be careful meeting someone online. It is also likely that people looking to date others online will put on the most appealing pictures on their profile, or old photos that do not even resemble how they look like today. As there are no shared friends and acquaintances, it is hard to check the information a user puts online about themselves. While some online dating sites allow members to put on videos, the person looking for a date will only know how the other individual acts like when they meet.

Main Differences and Conclusion

Traditional dating is simpler for people who have a social life and are likely to meet loads of people . Online dating, on the other hand, is designed for men and women who have a clear idea what they are looking for. While many authors state that love has nothing to do with rational decisions, the main benefit of online dating is that the member of the site can filter users based on age, occupation, height, body type, marital status, the number of children, and many more characteristics. Online dating is, therefore, for people who would like to choose a partner for long term and believe that they know what they are looking for in a man or woman. Traditional dating, on the other hand, has the benefit of being more reliable when it comes to the information provided before the first date, and more likely to be built on mutual attraction.

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  • 1. Americans’ personal experiences with online dating
  • 2. Users of online dating platforms experience both positive – and negative – aspects of courtship on the web
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Online dating platforms have been scrutinized at times for the way they have contributed to dating culture and its safety , as well as how successful they are at finding people a suitable match . There are a slew of both troubling and love stories involving online dating.

This chapter explores how all Americans – not just those who have online dated – feel about the broader landscape and impact of online dating. To begin, Americans are more likely to describe online dating as having a neutral impact on dating and relationships, rather than a mostly positive or negative one. And when asked to share their views about the success of relationships that begin through online dating, just over half of U.S. adults agree that these relationships are just as successful as those that began offline.

Still, views about online dating do vary across demographic groups, as well as by people’s own personal experience with using these sites or apps. At the same time, there are some lingering concerns about the danger of meeting someone through a dating site or app. Americans are somewhat divided on whether these platforms are a safe way to meet people.

Half of Americans believe that online dating has had neither a positive nor negative effect on dating and relationships

Chart shows Americans who think online dating has had a positive effect say it expands people’s options, is easier; those with a negative opinion think it facilitates lying

When asked to share their views on the type of effect dating sites and apps have had on dating and relationships, 50% of Americans believe their effect has been neither positive nor negative. Meanwhile, 26% say online dating has had a mostly negative effect on dating and relationships, while 22% describe its effect as mostly positive.

Across demographic groups, larger shares of Americans feel as if online dating has had neither a positive nor negative effect on dating and relationships, but personal experience with online dating also is associated with more positive views of its impact. Some 29% of online dating users view its effect on dating and relationships as mostly positive, compared with 21% of those who never used a dating site or app.

At the same time, 30% of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree say that dating sites and apps have a mostly positive effect on dating relationships, compared with 18% of those with a high school education or less. These educational differences are present regardless of online dating use.

Americans cite a number of reasons – ranging from expanding options to success stories – as reasons these platforms have been a good thing for dating and relationships

The survey also asked an open-ended question to give respondents a chance to explain, in their own words, why they feel as if dating sites and apps have had a mostly positive or mostly negative effect on dating and relationships.

Among respondents who say dating sites and apps have had a mostly positive effect, 25% say it is because they have helped expand people’s dating pool. Many of these responses emphasize how online dating has made it easier to meet people outside of one’s normal social circle, thereby expanding their options:

“They allow people who wouldn’t have ever really crossed paths in person easier access to that possible ‘one’ that they otherwise wouldn’t have ever met.” (Woman, age 36)

“It widens the pool of available persons.” (Woman, age 64)

Others in this group cite the ability to evaluate people before meeting them in person (19%) or that it is generally an easier way to meet people who also are interested in dating (18%).

“You read people’s profiles and know what they are all about before reaching out to them. Cheaper than going on a date to find out the hard way.” (Man, age 43)

“Easy to meet people. Easy to break the ice. Easy to size up people to see if you would like to really date them.” (Woman, age 28)

Some 14% of these respondents also express that these platforms can connect people who are likeminded or have mutual interests, while 11% offer up success stories as a reason online dating has had a mostly positive impact on dating.

“It’s easier to find someone who shares your interest and values. Easier to identify what you have in common before you decide to pursue spending time together.” (Man, age 54)

“We have known untold numbers of now-married couples who met online. … It does shrink the world to help you meet wonderful people.” (Woman, age 75)

Relatively small shares argue that online dating has had a mostly positive effect because it is a more efficient way of meeting people, is a better alternative to more traditional ways of meeting, helps people who have trouble meeting others or is a safer way of meeting people.

Americans who believe online dating has had a mostly negative effect on dating and relationships are especially likely to stress issues related to dishonesty

There is a stronger consensus among respondents who believe dating sites and apps have had a mostly negative effect. By far the most common response (given by 37% of these respondents) mentions that these platforms are a venue for various forms of dishonesty – ranging from people embellishing the truth to outright scams.

“You only know what they want you to know. They lie about themselves to make themselves look good.” (Man, age 58)

“People give a description of who they want to be and not always how they really are. You can’t depend on everyone being honest about who they are on both the positive and negative sides.” (Woman, age 40)

“I found there are a lot of scammers on dating sites trying to take advantage of others.” (Woman, age 59)

Another 14% in this group mention that online dating has made courtship more impersonal and devoid of meaningful communication.

“People don’t act like themselves online. No one is actually getting to really know each other. Communication is flawed from the beginning.” (Woman, age 33)

“There is a constant influx of ‘new inventory.’ It’s made dating more of a shopping activity (consumerism) than an interpersonal experience (emotional). The ‘swipe right’ mentality starts to affect us in everyday life.” (Man, age 56)

And additional 11% say the traditional ways of meeting were better and online dating has prevented people from connecting in the physical world. Overall, people who answer in this theme feel that online dating is generally just a bad way to meet people:

“Profiling isn’t romantic. The slower process of meeting someone, the chase, maybe the game and the face-to-face learning about each other makes for deeper and lasting feelings.” (Man, age 72)

“The old-fashioned way of meeting people in person or getting introduced through friends seems more individualized.” (Woman, age 30)

Respondents also offer other reasons they believe online dating has negatively affected dating, including that it keeps people from settling down because there are too many options (10% say this), while another 10% criticize these platforms for encouraging casual relationships and hookups. Another 8% in this group attribute their negative views of online dating to safety concerns.

“It’s hard to work on a relationship or give a partner another chance when sites/apps are constantly promoting the message that you are surrounded by wonderful singles all the time. It makes you believe that there is always a better or easier option available.” (Woman, age 27)

“Those sites and apps are used more for hookups nowadays and the people on there are not seriously looking for a committed relationship.” (Woman, age 33)

“I find the whole thing just extremely odd. I think that it is actually rather dangerous to meet complete strangers that way. It’s too easy for serial killers, psychos, thieves and people that are up to no good to find new victims that way.” (Woman, age 47)

About half of Americans think online dating is a safe way to meet people – but this varies substantially by age, gender and personal experiences with dating sites and apps

Chart shows Americans’ views on whether dating platforms are a safe way to meet people varies by age, gender and whether they’ve used dating sites or apps

Overall, Americans are somewhat divided on whether online dating is a safe way to meet someone. Roughly half of the public says that dating sites and apps are a very (3%) or somewhat (50%) safe way to meet people. Still, perceptions that online dating is a dangerous way to meet someone are fairly common. Some 46% of Americans believe meeting someone through online dating is not safe, including one-in-ten who say it is not at all a safe way to meet people.

Public perceptions about the safety of online dating vary substantially by personal experience. A majority of Americans who have ever used a dating site or app (71%) see it as a very or somewhat safe way to meet someone, compared with 47% of those who have never used these platforms.

There are other groups who also express concerns about the safety of online dating. Women are far more likely than men to say dating sites and apps are not a safe way meet to people (53% vs. 39%). And while 39% of adults under the age of 50 view online dating as unsafe, that share is 54% among those ages 50 and older.

Additionally, 57% of adults with a high school education or less think meeting someone through a dating platform is not safe, compared with just about a third of those with a bachelor’s or advanced degree (34%). There also are differences in views about online dating safety by race and ethnicity, as well as, by sexual orientation.

54% of the public says relationships where people first meet through a dating site or app are just as successful as those that begin in person

Chart shows just over half of Americans say that the success of relationships started online is comparable to relationships that begin offline

One of the central debates that emerged with the rise of online dating is whether courtships that begin online can be as successful and long-lasting as those forged in person.

When asked whether relationships where people first meet through an online dating site or app are generally more successful, less successful or just as successful as those that begin in person, 54% of Americans agree that these relationships are just as successful. Smaller shares – though still around four-in-ten (38%) – categorize these relationships as less successful, while relatively few Americans (5%) say relationships in which people first met through online dating are more successful than those that begin in person.

Larger shares of most groups believe relationships that start through dating sites or apps are just as successful as those that begin in person, but there are some Americans who are more skeptical of digitally forged relationships.

Again, views about online dating differ between those who have used these platforms and those who have not. Roughly four-in-ten Americans who have never online dated (41%) believe relationships that start off through dating platforms are less successful than those that begin in person, compared with 29% of those who have used a dating site or app.

Americans ages 50 and up are more likely than those under the age of 50 to say that relationships that first began through a dating site or app are less successful than relationships that started in person (43% vs. 34%). And adults who have a high school education or less are more likely than those with a bachelor’s or advanced degree to believe that these types of relationships are less successful when compared with those that begin in person (41% vs. 31%). There also are differences by sexual orientation. Some 39% of straight adults feel that relationships that began through online dating are less successful, while smaller shares of LGB adults (27%) hold this view.

This pattern is true even among those who have online dated. Among those who have used a dating site or app, older or straight adults are more likely than those who are younger or LGB to say relationships that start through dating sites and apps are less successful than those that start in person.

Americans who have had more success with online dating tend to view it more positively

Across several measures, online daters who have found a committed partner through these dating sites or apps tend to view these platforms in a more positive light. The same is true of how they rate their overall experience, as well as whether they’ve experienced some form of harassment while using these platforms.

Online dating users who have married or been in a committed relationship with someone they met online are more likely than those who haven’t to say that these platforms have had a mostly positive effect on dating and relationships overall (37% vs. 23%), or to view online dating as at least a somewhat safe way to meet people (79% vs. 66%). Online daters who have had success in finding committed relationships online also are more likely than those who haven’t to say relationships started through dating sites or apps are just as successful as those started offline (67% vs. 58%).

Users who had at least a somewhat positive experience overall using these platforms also are more likely to view them as having had a positive effect on dating and relationships, compared with those who have had a very or somewhat negative overall experience (39% vs. 14%). Differences in perceived safety also are present. Fully 82% of online daters who had a positive experience with dating sites or apps believe these platforms are a safe way to meet people, compared with 55% among those who categorize their overall online dating experience as negative.

Additionally, opinions about online dating vary by users’ own encounters with harassment on these platforms. Online daters who have experienced some form of harassment measured in this survey are more likely to say that online dating platforms have had a mostly negative effect on dating and relationships, compared with those who have not experienced harassment (30% vs. 20%). And while majorities of online daters, regardless of their experience with harassment, think of these platforms as a safe way to meet someone, those who personally have faced these negative interactions (66%) are less likely than those who haven’t to describe it as at least somewhat safe (77%).

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Understanding the Dating Scene: Modern vs. Traditional Approaches

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Dating in our generation has changed. No longer do we consider being set up by parents or through family members as a regular practice. Marrying someone who lives next to us or even at the end of our block isn’t a common occurrence anymore. We crave new experiences when it comes to our dating circles.

Even movies produced by Hollywood provide an open discussion of a social commentary that is relevant to everybody’s present dating ideals and practices. Gone are the days of “When Harry Met Sally” and “Working Girl.” Now we have movies like “Catfish,” “How to be Single,” and “You’ve Got Mail.” Even though there are reasons why modern dating is drastically different from dating techniques from previous decades, what parts of the modern dating world have intertwined with dating concepts of the past?

Two CSUN faculty, Wallace Zane, a professor of anthropology, and Stacy Missari, a professor of sociology who specializes in human sexuality, shared their views on the subject.

“Well, we’re talking about American culture. We think of the man as making the first move and asking someone to do something in a public place,” Zane said. “And then time after getting to know each other (they) meet in private. Now it’s even more public because, from what I understand, you have the apps where you can look for people and find them. So, everybody is available.”

Professor Missari said that the biggest change from ‘old’ versus ‘new’ techniques are that now we have more of a chance to meet people outside our circle of friends and family or immediate geographic area.

“We do not have to rely on friends or family members to set us up or wait to meet a stranger at a local bar, we can use apps to find people to date that we may have never encountered in our social circles.”

Missari also explains that a lot of movies from the ’80s and ’90s didn’t touch on a lot of intersectional issues that pertain to our culture today.

“This is important for people who live in areas where the LGBTQ population is really small or does not have an established gay community to meet dating partners and friends,” she said. “I think while the specifics of movies from the 80s and 90s versus today may be different, the overarching themes are pretty much the same in terms of the fear and exhilaration of dating and trying to find a long-term partner, the reliance on your friends to figure out the norms for dating and sex, and how issues related to sexual identity, gender, race, class, etc. complicate dating.”

Like Missari said, society’s old ways of meeting people from bars and through friends is no longer the only way to meet new people. It is still probable that a person can meet and develop a relationship with another in a bar after they get out of work like in the film “Working Girl,” or meeting in college as friends and running into each other throughout their lives for the 12 years they’ve known each other like in “When Harry Met Sally.” The likes of “Catfish” (the movie and the TV show) and “You’ve Got Mail” demonstrate how much social media (then and now) has changed the way we look at our dating lives and how we connect with people.

“People can be more upfront about what they are looking for in terms of a relationship,” Missari said. “If you are looking for someone to have casual sex, friends with benefits or a serious relationship, there are apps specifically tailored for that.”

However, she did speak about the potential ways that dating apps have become a threat in the way people meet potential partners.

“One of the downsides of increased ability to ‘screen’ for the specific characteristics we want in a partner is that we may be missing out on great people just because they don’t ‘fit’ the certain traits we think we are looking for,” she said. “In person, you may click with someone who you may have discarded on a dating app. This becomes even more problematic when people use veiled or overtly racist language in their dating profiles but couch it under the label of ‘just their sexual preference.’”

While this may make dating apps seem like a bleak experience, Missari believes that there may be more professional matchmaking services being used in the future as dating continues to evolve.

“If we think of finding a partner as a service that could increase efficiency in our daily lives, I think its only a matter of time before a tech company finds a way to provide a free or cheap matchmaking that is specifically customized to us,” she said. “Postmates for mates!”

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Compare And Contrast Online Dating Vs Traditional Dating

Dating nowadays has evolved into something similar to a math equation. Technology has changed society and culture so much in the 21st century that something which did not seem normal probably 30 years ago seems mundane now: meeting people via computer. In order to find the most compatible person, suddenly people are not able to find “the one” and need the help of a computer to tell them who their personality matches with, causing many people to not develop proper social skills along with confidence. People have different relationship goals which they wish to achieve, be it through either traditional or online dating . Although traditional and online dating have many similarities, at the same time they are very different when it comes to the …show more content…

Online dating offers chances to people who feel more comfortable behind a screen rather than getting so nervous in front of a person that they are unable to speak. It allows them to interact with someone whom they would be uneasy to speak with in real life. Moreover, in traditional dating first impressions truly matter while online, people have chosen the best for their dating profiles. “People were ready to admit that going on actual "dates" was full of pressure and not very enjoyable. Traditional dating, they pointed out, encouraged an overly formal, inauthentic vibe that ultimately hindered instead of helped their efforts to make romantic connections” (Massa). Many do feel shy to ask the person they are interested in on an official date as they are not actually sure what the other person feels and needs more than the opinion of friends to take a step while asking someone online relieves that stress as the possibility of seeing that person in real life is low along with it messing with the asker’s personal life if it is a …show more content…

And because of the influence of movies and media, it pressurizes people into subconsciously thinking that their date with that special someone should be extraordinary which usually ends up being rather expensive. While the same cannot be said about online dating as it is cost efficient and allows people to expand their horizons by not limiting themselves to the same circle of people. However, people are more likely to imagine their future with someone in traditional dating based on their personality, habits, and more, while the same cannot be said about online dating. But if done right, online dating can help a person meet other people in the real world who they have much in common with. With the help of technology, they can be living on the opposite sides of the world and still get to know each other well, giving them a chance to delay commitment until they are

Functionalist Theory Of Online Dating

The first principle being that people react to things on the basis of the meanings they have for them. To begin to determine the meanings people have for online dating, it would be helpful to look at the type of sites they are searching on, joining and essentially advertising themselves on. Someone who frequents a site like ‘match.com’ likely has very different meanings and intentions in regards to online dating than someone on a site like ‘Ashley Madison’ where the goal is simply to have an affair. In Blumer’s second step, where people derive meaning from their social interactions, sociologists might look at the type of social interactions between peers both online and off. They could be engaging in this activity because they know other people who have been successful, or maybe they have simply been unsuccessful through conventional routes. Maybe they feel the need to find someone because their friends are in relationships and they have a desire to fit in utilizing whatever means necessary. The third step is an interpretive process; that is the person takes everything they have learned about the meanings tied to online dating and adds their own interpretation to it. Maybe someone interprets online dating as simply the only way to get a date now, or maybe their interpretation is that it’s one of many methods used to try to to meet

Technology's Impact on Modern Dating Trends

The continued advancement of information and communication technologies has virtualized interpersonal communication process in various ways. Initial definitions of Interpersonal Communication indicated that the interaction/s needs to be face-to-face, but now with technological innovations the concept is getting disputed. In terms of dating (within my age group), prevalent usage of dating websites, and phone apps such as Tinder, OkCupid, and Match are normal and standard. In an article published in The Atlantic it stated, “American adults ages 18 to 24 used online-dating sites and apps at an average rate for all American adults—about 10 percent. Since then, that rate has almost tripled. College-aged and post-college-aged Americans are now the most likely demographic to turn to the technology” (Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic.com). The interactions and behaviors of dating using

Joseph Devito Relationships And Technology Analysis

As online relationships seem to increase in a myriad amount of ways it has become easier to meet singles, find dates, and make friends. A. DeVito wrote, “The number of internet users is rapidly increasing, and commercial websites devoted to helping people meet other people are proliferating, making it especially easy to develop online relationships” (307). DeVito

I Had A Nice Time With You Tonight Wortham Analysis

In Wortham’s article, “I Had a Nice Time with You Tonight. On the App.” , she emphasizes the ways online communication strengthens relationships. She claims that many single people have resorted to the online and mobile dating industry because they can look through many different potential dates and choose one who seems to be the best fit. Even if the two mates are thousands of miles apart, Wortham denies that they will have any trouble dating because smartphone apps make people feel physically close.

The Lobster And Her Relationship

Technology can also have a positive impact on relationships. Texting and calling one another can help with making arrangements and quick conversations. Psychology Today states that “texters have some time to think and carefully craft clever messages” (DiDonato). It can help people who need more time to think about what they need to say in response to something. Social media is used everyday in today’s society. Not just teenagers, but adults can use it just as much. If someone is having a hard time meeting people, they might use an online dating website. Dating websites help someone find a similar person to go on a date with based on their interests. An article from Pewresearch explains how even though people might find it hard to believe that online dating sites could be effective, “23% of Americans agree with the statement that “people who use online dating sites are desperate”—but in general it is much more culturally acceptable than it was a decade ago” (Smith). Dating sites can be useful only if the two people agree to go on a few dates in person and get to know each other compared to people who rely the internet and texting as a source of their

Evolution of Online Dating: A Personal Perspective

When thinking back on my past experiences in the dating scene, it’s crazy to see how much things have changed over the years. About ten years ago, I would have never thought that online dating would have grown to be as popular as it is today. It was considered a risky and almost taboo thing to do in the beginning. Now it seems that online dating services are just about everywhere. From the bigger dating services providers, such as E-Harmony and Zoosk, to the smaller services such as online personal classifieds, social media, and phone apps, it’s easier than ever to find and meet people who are interested in dating. I have dated online myself, even in the beginning stages of the online dating scene, and have had both good and bad experiences.

Dan Slater A Million First Date

In “Technology Isn’t Ruining Modern Dating--Humans are” (New Statesman Network, August 7, 2015), Barbara Speed argues the success of online dating websites did not cause people to pursue hook-up culture, but instead the culture influenced companies to cater the needs of already interested people. Essentially, Speed characterizes online dating as a business. If people did not want such a fast paced dating world they wouldn't download the apps to find so-called lovers. Personally, I have never tried online dating myself; therefore, never put myself in a situation where I was judged romantically in a matter of seconds behind a screen. Additionally, people no longer want to spend too much of their time and effort with a person when they can go on their phones and talk to someone with similar intentions in a matter of hours. For instance, Slater’s case study, Jacob, right after he was dumped by a long term girlfriend, he instantly revisited his old dating profile and quickly started seeing girl after girl. However, he has a history of being a passive, negotiator, and low striving guy looking for a girl to fill a void in his life. Hence, Slater fails to mention that people are responsible for their own actions on dating websites regardless of receiving encouraging notifications from old

Benefits Of Online Dating

With social networking services being more and more popular, it is universal to have online dating. According to a report, “over 40 million Americans have given online dating a try, and over a third of the American couples married between 2005 and 2012 met online.” This phenomenon causes us to think deeply about whether online dating is advisable or not. Because of the rapid development of technology and economy, many stressed people are eagerly seeking confidence and self-identity through the internet. Therefore, online dating has become a new and acceptable method of loving subconsciously. However, it should never replace meeting a person in real life because it may be spurious, illusory and fragile.

Essay On Dating

From a boy asking a girl’s parents permission to date their daughter, to today when people resort to dating apps and websites like, Okcupid or Tinder. The uses of these dating sites and apps are greatly influenced. In 2008, only three percent of Americans used an online dating site, now that has increased to nine percent (Ambrose and Palm). The whole concept of meeting a potential girlfriend or boyfriend in a public setting is no longer a trend in society. Instead, it is no secret that the dating process has changed, the real question is what caused this.

Online Dating Analysis

There are an endless number of reasons why people put ads out for dating, which are anywhere from convenience, to time since most of us have very busy schedules. It also allows people to get themselves out to a specific group that may or may not have been able to reach without this source. Many people don’t like the bar scene and feel it to be a somewhat more secure way of getting out there to perhaps meet new people with the possibility of meeting “the one”. For myself personally I am on a few dating sites for basically all the reasons which I have listed above. Generally the schedule I keep does not permit ample time to get out of my circle to meet new people that I may possibly care to date. In some situations it might be, a good way for more shy people to get into circulation in the dating world because it gives them a port of entry that is non- threatening nor is it as intrusive. Nonetheless this still poses many dilemmas and challenges to most that are engaging in the online dating lifestyles.

How Has Identity Changed Over Time

Many people find their identity in relationships, and dating culture has changed drastically through the ages. It however, has changed especially now with internet dating. Brooks talks about how the internet slows down the process of dating which is ironic because the internet is known for speeding everything up. Dating today according to the world is so different than how it used to be and how it’s supposed to be.

Research on Online Dating and Relationship

Based on a research of Online Dating & Relationships, Smith and Duggan stated that the ways of finding partners have been changed with the times. In the past, people used matchmaking, arranged marriages and printed personal ads. With the rapid technology advancement, there are alternative methods - online dating sites and smart phone dating apps. To compare with the people who date traditionally, people who date online are active to choose their dream man or woman by browsing the others profiles (9).

Online Dating

Dating really changed in the few last years and meeting people online became not uncommon or just for young people only. But everyone now can use it to find their dates and meet new people.

Online Datingting: How To Stay Safe With Online Dating

In recent years, online dating has become very popular with 1-in-5 Americans aged 25-34 years old using one or more of the many popular dating sites and apps, such as match.com, OkCupid, and PlentyOfFish. With the stigma of online dating gone, it’s turned out to be a great way to date, have fun, and potentially fall in love.

The Many Benefits of Online Dating

In the twenty-first century, we use the internet for almost everything that we do. We use search engines such as Bing or Google to find information. Websites like Netflix and Hulu allow us to watch shows and movies without an expensive cable or satellite subscription. Social networks provide a new way to communicate with friends and family. Entire companies are run through the internet. With gas prices rising every day, it has also become increasingly popular to see a lot of jobs turn to telecommuting. It’s only natural that as other aspects of our lives conform to the internet, that online dating should also begin to be more prevalent in how we form new romantic relationships. Online dating is the new normal, and this is more evident now than ever.

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Online Dating Vs. Traditional Dating Term Paper

As Finkel, Eastwick, Karney, Reis, and Sprecher (2012) observe, the stigma once attached to online dating is slowly fading away. In the words of Paumgarten (as cited in Finkel, Eastwick, Karney, Reis, and Sprecher, 2012), "people no longer think of online dating as a last resort for desperadoes and creeps." Conclusion In conclusion, as I have already pointed out elsewhere in this text, every approach to dating - traditional or online - has its own pitfalls. However, with the prerequisite caution, online dating remains the best alternative for not only those who are busy but also those ready to try out something new and exciting. Going forward, the popularity of online dating is likely to increase as individuals realize its benefits in relation to those of traditional dating. This is more so the case given that there are testimonies indicating that a good number of relationships initiated online have developed into fulfilling offline intimate relationships.

Sources Used in Documents:

References eHarmony Staff. (2013). Challenging the Ten Biggest Excuses to Not Try Online Dating. Retrieved May 1, 2013, from: http://www.eharmony.com/dating-advice/using-eharmony/debunking-the-ten-biggest-excuses-not-to-try-online-dating/#.UYQa9nfQTD6 Finkel, E.J., Eastwick, P.W., Karney, B.R., Reis, H.T. & Sprecher, S. (2012). Online Dating: A Critical Analysis from the Perspective of Psychological Science. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 12(1), 3-66. Gackenbach, J. (2007). Psychology and the Internet: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Implications (2nd ed.). Boston: Elsevier/Academic Press. Guadagno, R. (2012, June 19). Why People Click: Social Interaction and Influence Online. Retrieved May 1, 2013, from: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/why-people-click/201206/online-dating

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compare and contrast online dating vs traditional dating essay

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Online Dating Essay Examples

Online dating and its impact on modern relationships.

Dating has always been a part of society, where 2 people decide the connection is strong enough to become a part of each other's lives. Humans have been dating since before history, as relationships progresses and leads to reproduction. It’s almost like a natural instinct...

The Positive Influence of Online Dating on Society and Relationships

Tinder, Grinder, eHarmony, and Bumble. These five words had zero correlation a decade ago, but today connect millions of users worldwide. These platforms revolutionized dating by creating online match making services available at consumers’ fingertips. Not only do they connect potential suitors, but they also...

Why Online Dating Should Be Banned

Online dating seems to be a good way for finding your soulmate. However, when using online dating sites, you put yourself in a big risk as it can be very dangerous. You will never know exactly who is on the other side of the screen....

Comparison of Online Dating and Traditional Dating

Improvements in technology brought many changes in people's lives. With recent technology innovations, new ways to communicate among people were created. One of these forms is online dating which gives people access to meet a person of their interest. However, real dating or in other...

Online Dating – Romance on the Internet

Online dating or E-dating has become a global phenomena in the recent years. This could be attributed to the advent of web 2.0 and the increase in number of people who have access to the internet. The first modern online dating website became available to...

Discussion of Whether Online Dating is Safe and Productive

Online dating commonly requirement is that they have radically change the dating environment for the better. The article “Critical Analysis From The Perspective Of Psychological Science” investigates whether: Is online dating is different from the traditional offline dating? Is online dating promotes better expression of...

Romantic Relationship Quality and Ideal Mate Selection Influence on Self-esteem

Physical attractiveness is a valuable social commodity – it can be used to bargain and exchange, for gains and benefits, translated into goods and services, and even has commercial value; all of which strongly affect one’s confidence about formation of relationships. Whereas, the maintenance of...

The Aspects of Online Dating and Mate Preferences

Human journey from hunter gatherers living in jungles to digital beings living in virtual world has been an overwhelming one. However, several of our behaviors, fears etc can still be dated back to our ancestors. The objective of the current study was to see whether...

Media Use to Protect on Online Dating

Online is a world-promote friendship before coming into the real world. Today, a new relationship is often caused by internet conversations or dating web-based online friends, which are now widely popular because society needs the convenience of communication. Whether someone knows or searches for new...

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