1. Introduction
A study by Rosenfeld and Thomas (2012) observed that 22% of the United States population had found their partner online and that the internet was the third most likely means of meeting a partner for heterosexual couples in 2009 (Rosenfeld & Thomas, 2012). Similar studies have found that 38% of those who are single and looking for a partner have used online dating sites or mobile dating apps (Lenhart & Duggan, 2014). Therefore, the use of digital media in the search for romantic partners is becoming increasingly common. This thesis makes a contribution to this field of study by focusing on how digital media facilitates new ways
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This study aimed to make a contribution to this area by conducting semi-structured interviews with young British Muslims on their experiences of online Muslim dating. To do so, the following research aims were identified: 1) To explore the experiences, whether positive or negative, of young British Muslims on online Muslim dating websites. 2) To identify whether, or how online methods replace or support traditional offline methods of matchmaking in Islam. 3) To understand the differences if any, between all-Muslim online dating websites as opposed to regular online dating websites and 4) To examine the practices young British Muslims engage in when presenting themselves online and what qualities they look for in a partner online.
The above research aims were formed after reviewing existing literature on, online dating, presentation of self, mate selection, online dating in Islam and changing attitudes of matrimony among young Muslims. The literature review revealed the scarcity of research on young British Muslims finding romantic relationships online, particularly on websites designed specifically for their use. This study was guided by the literature review to explore this under researched area by carrying out semi-structured interviews with young British Muslims to investigate their experiences of online Muslim
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While several studies have acknowledged the use of the internet as a popular method for adults finding romantic partners (Abad, 2015; Rosenfeld & Thomas, 2012; Whitty & Carr, 2006). Very few sources concluded that online dating is becoming a common social intermediary for different cultures and religions (Lo & Aziz, 2009; Mishra, Monippally & Jayakar, 2013). Therefore, it becomes apparent through this review that there is little research supporting online matchmaking experiences for Muslims. This study thus explores how digital media facilitates new ways of finding a partner for young British Muslims, to contribute to the emerging scholarship in this
Today's media has sparked a huge interest in online dating. With the new way to find your next partner,
The article written by Belinda Robnett and Cynthia Feliciano “Patterns of Racial-Ethnic Exclusion by Internet Daters” is an analysis article that was published in March 2011, and it is property of the University of North Carolina Press. Robnett and Feliciano’s article is intended to inform and explore the ways people who decide to online date react to other online daters based on their race and gender. It clearly states that these two concepts significantly influence the choices that online daters are given, because based on the authors’ research an example given was that “Few studies have comparatively assessed the Latino, Asian and black acceptance rates of minority groups. While Latinos and Asians out-marry with whites, or inter-ethnically,
In her essay, “Digital Dating: Desperation or Necessity?,” Christine Hassler defends online dating from the negative stigma associated with the trend. Despite negative opinion of those who meet their significant other online, Hassler discourages her readers from allowing potential shame result in missed opportunities. Due to the internet’s increased importance in forming connections, digital dating should be utilized as a tool for finding relationships and becoming acquainted with like-minded strangers. Critics can no longer interpret online dating as a last resort for desperate elderlies because of the ingenuity of recent websites (Hassler). Overall, Hassler’s definition of online dating as a tool accurately portrays its practicality; however, her essay does not fully describe the escalated use of the internet among singles or successfully depict its disadvantages, such as the bias she addresses.
Throughout his book Modern Romance, Aziz Ansari the author develops and explains concepts that are involved in romantic relationships. In his arguments he describes certain points that explain how romances were modernized with the advancement of the technology. The growth of technology has created new sources of communication like for example socials networks and other websites in the internet that allow people to have an easier search to find a partner when they are looking for one. One of the biggest arguments that author talks about is when he describes how technology has played an important role in romantic relationships. The use of technology that exists in the present day has become excessive and it is a good argument to discuss in the essay. Up to today the online services and socials networking sites have become important factor s in the search for that “perfect someone” that people want to share the rest of our lives with, but at the same time it becomes a dangerous weapon that disappoints, lies and destroys romantic relationships. It’s not really that technology influences bad things; but it is more up to the responsibility of people and the purpose they use it for. The fact that the technology has become a very helpful tool to date someone is something very common to do nowadays but also it is dangerous because people do not really know who they are talking to or who is behind the computers monitors. Although
With technology, we are granted an infinite amount of ways to connect with people around the world and that ultimately affect our romantic relationships for better and for worse. Even after Aziz Ansari’s years of incorporating personal romantic complications into his stand-up comedy, he decided that complaining about the challenges and pitfalls of looking for love in the Digital Age through Match.com, OkCupid, Tinder, Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media site, wasn’t enough; he wanted answers. Ansari teamed up with New York University sociologist Eric Klinenberg to better understand how people seek romantic partners, how technology has changed the search for a mate, and how instant communication has opened up an infinite amount of options. Their research included: interviews and focus groups, analyses of past and current behavioral data, plus discussions with leading sociologists. Ansari’s work payed off, allowing him the insight needed to craft his memoir: Modern Romance. Effectively combining sociology with humor, this memoir is highly recommended for fans of Ansari, readers interested in the social media’s impact on relationships, or even singles looking to up their game.
The concept of online dating has exploded into mainstream culture since the emergence of the Internet. Websites have allowed for the virtual facilitation of basic needs
It’s becoming common to make friends and meeting people from the internet. On the show “Yes to the dress,” there has been many brides to be that have said they have met their fiancés from online. New York Daily News has an article on marriages that fired-up from online dating. It said that one-third of couple have met online. Meeting people from the internet is a dangerous act. You don’t know who this person really is. They can tell you they’re a police officer, but in reality they’re a sex offender. Not only does technology intervene in people’s social and love lives, it also impacts their family
Online dating has altered the process used for obtaining a romantic partner as well as has altered the process of compatibility matching. Online dating has created a new platform for meeting potential partners. Romantic relationships contribute to emotional well-being and individuals crave the intimate connections that are formed through their romantic partnerships; it is a fundamental part of human motivation. These dating sites have created a medium for potential partners to meet by alleviating the daunting task of conventional dating by solving the problems such as lack of access to potential partners, confronting potential partners regarding their romantic availability, and gathering the courage to approach strangers face to face (Finkel, Eastwick, Karney, Reis, & Sprecher, 2012).
Over the years and even decades the tradition of dating has changed drastically. We now have online dating which is one of technologies new advances. Although people may prefer to `the new aged tools of dating, there is differences and similarities between old fashion dating and online dating.
In today's world, the expectations to fall in love have perhaps become "online". This is because dating sites are no more regarded as a tricky way for getting in touch with and bonding with new people. Instead, online dating is now gaining immense popularity as information technologies and digital media have congregated. The contemporary virtual social media has increased the evolution from vital matchmaking sites to sites that make it possible for anyone to "date" in reality online without even leaving their places. Even though face-to-face dating has not disappeared completely, the social media has enhanced the process of online dating tremendously (Brown, 2011).
Online Dating is defined as “the practice of searching for a romantic or sexual partner on the internet, typically via a dedicated website” (Oxford). In 2012, there were an estimated 1500 different dating websites in the United States and thousands more around the world. The most common dating websites are Match.com, Adultfriendfinder.com, christianmingle.com, Zoosk.com, and eHarmony.com. There are others depending on the user’s interests such as Cams.com is for those who like to communicate by camera, Gay.com is for those interested in other gay singles, Blacksingle.com is for those interested in other black singles and Seniorpeoplemeet.com is for the older person who is looking for that particular other in their age range. All dating
Online dating allows singles, couples, or groups to meet each other online with the hopes of forming a social, romantic, or sexual relationship. Those that sign up with an online dating service typically provide information for other members to view in the form of a personal profile. This personal profile is the main deciding factor as to whether or not an online dater chooses to communication with another member of the online dating service. Online dating, a relatively new form of social matchmaking, has both positive and negative aspects to it. Just as any sort of social interaction can have pros and cons. In this topic, I am going to give reasons how on how online dating can be avantage and disvantages to us and what impact it has on
Arab women are more aware of the socio-cultural constraints online due to the significant difference between the acceptable behaviors of women in the West and the East. Even though women in the Arab World are open to Western cultures and behaviors online and have the social media networks at their disposal, they cannot behave freely online. The restrictions placed on women’s activities in the arab society are clearly reflected on their choices and online activities. For instance, women in the western society can freely interact with individuals from the opposite sex. The case is totally different in an arabic conservative society like the Jordanian society. A study was conducted to examine online dating and romance in Irbid, the second largest city in Jordan where residents are expected to be more open-minded than the rest of
Almost seven billion people reside on Earth, yet many people strive to find “the one” out of everyone. “The one” meaning that apparent person to build memories with, grow with, share forever with – yes, that one. However, finding that one special person is as easy as finding a needle in the haystack, or possibly even harder. On top of that, only a small fraction of the world’s population are the ones people actually meet in person, so how could someone find “the one” faster? With technological advancements, specifically online dating websites, finding and meeting people online is faster and easier than ever; unfortunately, fast and easy does not always mean good. Online dating websites do allow for easy access for multiple people to meet and form relationships all across the world, but that is the exact reason how these sites can lead to potential danger to all its users – not fully knowing the true identity behind a screen is not fully knowing the true intention of that user. While these sites do help in worldwide interaction, a constant use of them can mean less in-person interaction leading to a decrease in social quality. Online dating websites may not be the best method in finding “the one” or even “true love” when it, itself, can be untrue towards privacy, identity, and even other relationships. As the engagement in these types of interactions increase, face-to-face interactions decreases leading to less
In today's post-modern society, dating practices are both vast and varied. People meet their romantic partners in any number of locations including at work, at the bar, and increasingly, on the Internet. Online dating has become very popular over the past decade, and according to a study done in Washington DC, over 74% of single Internet users in the US have taken part in at least one online dating-related activity. In addition, this study found that 15% of American adults (that's 30 million people) say that they know someone who has been in a long-term relationship with a partner they met online (Biever, 2006).