Bumble, the dating app that encourages women to make the first move, has released its 2024 dating trends, and the stats are quite surprising. If you think that marriage is still the goal for young singletons, you’re wrong.
Let’s see what dating might look like in the new year.
Also see: Relationship reboot: how to bring back lost love in a relationship
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Marriage is not on everyone’s cards
To help Bumble users better navigate dating in the new year, Bumble surveyed over 25,000 users (mostly Millennials and Gen Zs) from all over the world. With Gen Z making 2024 the “year of self” it’s no surprise that the survey’s results showcase this.
A key aspect of this is the rejection of traditional relationship goals and milestones.
The results showed that women are leading this charge, with 31% of women ignoring these milestones completely. Additionally, only 23% of women looking to marry. The survey showed that 16% of women are putting themselves first and actively avoiding friends and family who pressure them to meet milestones, such as marriage by a certain age.
However, while marriage isn’t on the cards, long-term relationships are still the goal, with 72% of women indicating that this is what they’re looking for. Over and above this, 31% state that they’ll only date someone with a similar mindset.
Cosmopolitan highlighted these results are consistent with a PEW Research Center study conducted in 2019. This study highlighted that married couples are steadily declining, but “cohabitation with an unmarried partner is on the rise.”
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Emotional intimacy remains key
Please feel free to use this report to help you maintain your anti-traditional relationship trajectory stance, especially this holiday season with nosy family members. However, what is interesting, is that despite the shunning of traditional goals, emotional intimacy remains key when finding a partner.
Bumble says that going into 2024, singles are “focused on finding security, safety, and understanding in their romantic connections.” 32% of users showcase that emotional intimacy is more important than sex. A whopping 78% of women say that any potential partner must understand both physical and emotional intimacy.
Say goodbye to toxic masculinity
On the male side of things, Bumble’s report highlighted open-hearted masculinity – which matches the many conversations sparked throughout 2023 about gender roles and masculinity.
25% of men have noted these changes and have actively adjusted their behaviour, especially when it comes to vulnerability. 31% of men state that being open and vulnerable is important for their future relationships.
Even better, the report indicated that this has been a massive boost to men’s mental health!
And, for the tomboys and so-called ‘manly’ men, a shared love of sports is on the rise. 31% of singles stated this is non-negotiable. So, adding a sports date to your 2024 plans is an absolute must.
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Slow dating? Yes, please
With the focus on protecting your mental health in the new year, it’s no surprise that singles are raising their standards and reducing how much they’ll date.
This is where slow dating comes in. This means getting to know your potential partner and building a connection before meeting them or pursuing a committed relationship. 31% state that slow dating and considering how often they’ll go on dates is on the cards for 2024.
This is all in the hopes of protecting their mental health and finding someone who shares the same goals and mindsets – oh, and a shared love of sport.
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