The Surprising News About Dating in the Time of COVID-19

With landing a date one swipe away, technology has greatly expanded your dating prospects. Such a large menu of options has changed the social behavior of dating. Those in relationships are now committing later and later and becoming quicker than ever to leave when the going gets tough because they know there are other choices at their swiping fingertips.

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But, we could be seeing this trend reverse with COVID-19, a bit of an interesting twist in the often bleak news of the pandemic. Although future research should investigate these claims, there are several reasons that I see the effects of COVID-19 not being all bad for daters.

More daters looking for long-term relationships

With casual sex out the window, many may be quicker to look for and stay in meaningful, longer-term relationships.

Getting sick with a potentially deadly disease isn't the sexiest thing imaginable! A plummet in the numbers of people attending gatherings has undoubtedly brought with it a huge drop in those drunken one-night stands and friends-with-benefits relationships. With bars and restaurants closed, daters are even missing a location for their first dates. Such barriers cause many to think, "Why even bother trying?" COVID-19 has been a period where most have upped their Netflix game and severely diminished their meeting new people. All of these factors have contributed to a huge drop in casual relationships.

As such, commitments may be increasing in the pandemic. Many daters are becoming more selective about the options they entertain, they’re quicker to “define the relationship,” and they’re more thoughtful about persisting in a relationship with potential.

Relationship priorities have changed

This pandemic has changed the way that we all think about relationships, and even about life.

Faced with existential questions around our own morbidity, mortality, and the blatant lack of control over our lives, our relationship priorities change. Daters are no longer interested in those superficial relationships based on looks and casual encounters. Many daters are looking for someone who can stand beside them in these times of loss, fear, and existential dread.

Fewer "perceived alternatives" lead to greater commitment

Research shows that your level of commitment to your partner is partially dependent on your "perceived alternatives," or the breadth and attractiveness of other dating options. When you have many alternative options that seem highly attractive, your relationship satisfaction and commitment will be lower as a result of better-perceived alternatives that keep you from fully investing your emotional and mental resources.

With fewer alternatives out there, daters may not be as tempted by outside options, and thus more willing to commit to a longer-term relationship. In addition, when daters find a relationship in the midst of this crisis, they may be more likely to stick with it, given a low number of perceived alternatives.

In quarantine, who doesn’t want to snuggle up to a special someone and keep that going for as long as they can? This pandemic could actually be the best opportunity there is to start a relationship with true commitment, substance, and meaning.