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How Tinder Has Changed the Way People View Relationships

“Swipe left or swipe right?”

You’ve probably heard these words over and over to the point where you already know what they mean. Also, the chances are that you use them yourself, but if you practically have no idea what these words mean, then it’s most likely because you don’t use dating apps like Tinder. Before dating apps were even a thing, people met at work, parties, school, or through friends or acquaintances, but with the advent of dating apps (just two decades ago), dating and how people view relationships have and continues to change.

No doubt, there are several dating websites and apps out there, such as Okcupid, Zoosk, FWBtinder, but Tinder is unarguably the most popular and most used dating and hookup app across the globe. You may not use this dating app, but there is a good chance that you have heard of it, or know someone who does. Launched in 2012 and with a staggering number of users and millions of swipes per day, Tinder is at the forefront of revolutionizing how people find love and view relationships. Here are a few ways Tinder has changed how people view relationships:

Relationships are Less Stressful

Finding love or dating in the “pre-dating app era” required a lot of time, energy and financial resources. Potential lovers had to meet up as often as possible to get to know one another better (imagine having to go on several dates before you finally realize you are not a match!) this can be a turn-off for anyone who isn’t too enthusiastic about going through the whole hassle, or simply can’t afford it. Tinder eliminates the stress and saves time (and, of course, money!), by simply using algorithms to connect potential matches.

Everyone Can Find Love and Be in Relationships

Traditional dating, with its conventionally accepted binary gender options, didn’t (exactly) leave room for everyone to find love. In some societies, specific groups like the LGBT community often face violence, hostility, and harassment, which makes it difficult for such individuals to easily find love or enter into a relationship the traditional way. The good news is that, although Tinder does not explicitly cater to such groups, it allows individuals to indicate their sexual orientation and gender in their profiles. This makes it easier for such individuals to find romance or enter into relationships discretely, especially in societies where such orientations and genders are stigmatized.

“Breaking the Ice” is Easier

Honestly, who doesn’t dread those first awkward moments after meeting someone for the first time? For people who are shy or socially anxious, walking up to a stranger and starting a conversation can be herculean. For such people, finding romance can be a difficult and almost impossible feat. One of the ways Tinder has changed the dating game is that, it removes the hurdle of walking up to a stranger, introducing yourself and breaking the ice.

There are No Gender Stereotypes

In most cases, traditional dating often followed certain gender stereotypes and norms. A good example of one of such norms is the idea that men had to initiate the relationship or start the conversation. Tinder thwarts these traditional norms because it offers both gender an equal platform to swipe right and initiate a conversation. This is a great start to breaking the social norm and stigma related to women making the first move.

A Better Partner Is Just a Swipe Away

Perhaps, the biggest change that Tinder has made to how people view relationships is evident in the way people easily enter into and leave relationships. This could be a disadvantage when abused, but could be the perfect option for individuals in toxic or dwindling relationships. With Tinder, there’s always a knowing that a better partner is just a swipe away. Tinder opens up the possibility of meeting several potential matches with ease. The downside to this is that some people are more likely to easily quit relationships or reject potential matches easily.

Since its inception in 2012, Tinder has evolved and continued to add more features to enable it to cater to the romantic needs of the 21st century young adult, and with its increasing popularity in several parts of the world, it should come as no surprise that Tinder is not only reshaping people’s perceptions about relationships, but also, changing how people find love and relationship itself.

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Written by Shawn1q2

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