National survey reveals 4 in 5 singles say they’ve changed their ‘dating behavior’ since the end of Roe v. Wade
DALLAS — What’s it like to be single in 2022? A new survey finds more and more people seeking a relationship are “swiping left” when it comes to prioritizing looks over personality.
In a poll of 5,000 Americans singles, commissioned by Match.com, researchers found that many singles are focusing on “conscious dating,” or looking beyond physical attraction to use dating as a way to learn more about themselves. This includes finding a partner that helps someone learn who they are, what they need, and their behavioral patterns throughout that process.
Moreover, recent events have played a major role in how singles across America are approaching the dating scene. Specifically, the pandemic, inflation, and the overturning of Roe v. Wade have many singles rethinking how they go on dates — and who they jump into bed with.
More than half the poll (53%) are now willing to start a relationship with someone who lives over three hours away. Just 35 percent said the same last year. This may have something to do with the 33 percent who say they changed their mind on long-distance relationships during the pandemic.
Despite that, most singles still want to take a more personal approach to getting to know their partner. Forty-eight percent say they prefer to talk to them on the phone, while 43 percent are comfortable texting. Only 29 percent like conversing over social media and just 11 percent chose the metaverse.
Sex and politics don’t mix
Although seven in 10 singles say sex improves their mental health and 71 percent feel better after a bedroom romp, many respondents are actively shying away from making love because of America’s changing stance on abortion. In fact, one in five singles say the end of Roe v. Wade makes them hesitant to have sex. Nearly four in five claim they’ve changed their dating behavior since the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Regardless of what side of the debate they’re on, two in three single women in the poll say they won’t even date someone if they hold an opposing view on abortion. Overall, singles say the ruling is causing them to use condoms more often and have a greater fear of getting pregnant.
Although many singles are fearful of the repercussions of having sex, few people are opting for the digital alternatives. Just three percent say they’ve tried sex using some form of virtual reality.
Not vaxxed? No problem
Interestingly, the pandemic is no longer a major issue for many single Americans. In 2021, 47 percent said they want their date to be vaccinated. However, that number is down to just 40 percent in 2022. Additionally, 36 percent say they don’t care anyone and would date someone who did not get the COVID vaccine.
Despite the fading concern about coronavirus, one in three believe the pandemic is still affecting their dating life.
With that in mind, plenty of singles are searching for someone to give them advice on their next relationship. Nearly half the poll (48%) turn to their friends, while one in three ask their family for dating help.
One in five look for dating advice on YouTube and social media and 16 percent ask their therapist for input. Another 14 percent look for help in the same place they look for dates — a dating app.
READ: Best Dating Apps For 2023, According To Expert Websites
Inflation making for more ‘creative’ date nights
With everything costing more this year, singles are looking to make every dollar count as they look for love. As for their budgets, the poll finds the average single American spends $130 a month while exploring the dating scene. That money takes care of dating app subscriptions ($12), cash for dates ($39), appearance and grooming expenses ($40), and some stylish clothes to impress their partner ($39).
Overall, the survey finds that the cost of dating has increased by 40 percent over the last decade. That may be why a staggering 84 percent say they’re fine if the first date keeps things casual. Three in 10 add that they’re perfectly fine finding date activities which are completely free. Another 29 percent are now more open to finding date night spots which are close to home to save on gas.
If you’re great in the kitchen, here’s your chance to impress! One in four say they’re more open to enjoying a home-cooked meal instead of going to a fancy restaurant. Twenty-four percent are fine finding cheaper eateries around town and 25 percent are really cheap dates and would be happy just meeting for coffee or drinks.
In these stressful financial times, the poll also finds that stability is the new sexy. Three in 10 singles want to find a partner who is financially stable, and 23 percent say they’re more appreciative of people who are “frugal.”
Methodology:
The 2022 study is based on the attitudes and behaviors taken from a demographically representative sample of 5,000 U.S. singles between the ages of 18 to 98. Generations are defined as: Gen Z (18-25), Millennials (26-41), Gen X (42-57), and Boomers (58-76).
My sex talk with my kids was simple, there is no such thing as 100% birth control. So if you have sex, it better need with somone you want to have a baby with. I then told them that both of them were unplanned. The talk must have worked as neither had kids out of wedlock. And neither them or I are Christians. Their also liberals.
So don’t tell me abortion is necessary. It was a choice to have sex and getting pregnant is sometimes the result. Deal with it like an adult instead of a spoiled child that won’t accept responsibility for their actions.
I have no issues with abortion prior to 15 weeks. Only 5% of all abortions occur after that time, and allowances can be made for medical reasons. Many conservatives agree, and my liberal wife also agrees. Find common ground and move on.
I will also add that the notion of an abortion being needed to say the life of the mother is non-existent. You would be hard pressed to find a legitimate doctor who has actually had to do this.
Uncommon, even rare, but that does NOT equal non-existent. Less than 1%. But, if your relative or loved one’s life was threatened by a pregnancy, I guess you might admit that it does actually occur. Who knows, perhaps things that are rare simply don’t exist? Like having two different eye colors… it’s RARE, so it’s not real, right? Interesting logic. Winning the lottery is rare, so nope, never happens. I’ve never met a lottery winner, so it can’t be real. 15% of the world’s population is over six feet tall. Can’t be real.
Using less than 1% to justify something imposed on the other 99% is no way to make decisions
A condom and a good spermacide is 100%
Wow. How pathetic. There is such a thing as birth control for both sexes. What this tells me is that abortion is thought of as a form of birth control. I don’t care if you are pro-choice or not…using abortion as BC is beyond acceptable. I’m glad that 1 in 5 aren’t having sex…means less woke snowflakes reproducing.
Maybe this will slow or stop the breakdown of the family unit. A child needs a mother and a father. Our society will benefit from it for having better people. It all starts in the home. No one wants to say that. We need responsible parents to raise responsible children. Our nation can’t keep going as it is.
Yet another feckless article attempting to scare us. Due to high interest rates, are these same folks also scared to use their credit cards? Due to high heating costs, are they afraid to use the furnace? This points out the fact that some are rabbits and are just not very responsible. I applaud them for finally becoming adults and thinking before humping.
As it should be. People shouldn’t be getting pregnant just to abort their own children. That’s evil.
Also, this “study” (purposely) doesn’t ask the right question regarding the covid-vaxxed. There are a LOT of non-vaxxed young people who refuse to even date someone who’s taken the gene therapy shot, as it’s pointless. They’re never going to marry them, as they never want to have freak deformed kids. But also, look at the fertility problems among the vaxxed now. Australia just announced a 63% decline in births in just one year,
hecause men and women have both largely been sterilized by the shot. You think Bill Gates didn’t plan this? And the new combined 75% miscarriage / fetal demise rate in the U.S. of you do get pregnant and take the shot. Nooo, only the non-vaxxed paired with the non-vaxxed can save the world now.
You know….they have these things known as condoms.
Seems the overturning of Roe had some positive effects Not only are people preventing pregnancy with comdoms, they’re also reducing their chances of getting some yucky STD.
Wow, people are actually considering the consequences of their actions? Crazy talk.
Actually, this is just women rejecting republican males.
Common sense.
Interesting to know that so many people are willing to give up having sex altogether rather than use a condom to prevent pregnancy. Sort of like being willing to starve to death because mom says no more ice cream.
Condoms are not 100 percent reliable, you know.
And republican males are proving themselves to be not reliable, substandard partner material.
Gonna need some facts to back that one up, since most studies show Republicans having much more productive and healthier relationships than liberals. “Various studies suggest measurable differences in the psychological traits of liberals and conservatives. Conservatives are more likely to report larger social networks, greater happiness and self-esteem than liberals, are more reactive to perceived threats and more likely to interpret ambiguous facial expressions as threatening. Liberals are more likely to report greater emotional distress, relationship dissatisfaction and experiential hardship than conservatives, and show more openness to experience as well as greater tolerance for uncertainty and disorder.” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_and_political_orientation (I know it’s Wikipedia, but it’s the fastest collection of sources I could find)
Interesting, you sound like an old Scout Sgt I worked with in Afghanistan. Complaining that the anti-malaria drug didn’t help against all forms of malaria. (It did for our region BTW) My response was that your body armor doesn’t stop all bullets but you wouldn’t dare head outside the wire without it. Condoms when used properly are over 95% effective. I’d say those are pretty good odds. Nothing is 100% effective except abstinence and I’m not even going to recommend that because I’d be a huge hypocrite. I’m almost 50 years old. I’ve used condoms with every new relationship. Never got anyone pregnant and never caught anything. I’m not against abortion by any means. However, looking at the risks and discomfort one takes when getting one…. speaking as medical professional, I’d think avoiding the pregnancy in the 1st place would be safer. As they say though, to each their own and your mileage may very.
Exactly mine blowing with all the birth control options available for both male and female women would still prefer an abortion.
And for the record, I’m a Democrat, however I cannot vote Democratic due to the fact that this party supports abortion and on top of wanting abortions they want everybody working to pay for it.