Lundquist and Curington 2019 Love Me Tinder Love Me Sweet

Introduction

  • Article Title: "Love Me Tinder, Love Me Sweet"

  • Authors: Jennifer Hickes Lundquist and Celeste Vaughan Curington

  • Publication Date: December 11, 2019

  • Context: Explores the impact of dating apps on culture and dating among college students.

Key Premise

  • Question: Are hookup apps reviving dating culture on college campuses?

  • Findings: Dating apps help bypass traditional romantic gatekeeping and allow students to avoid negative aspects of hookup culture.

Challenges of Online Dating

  • While apps empower users, they also expose women and minorities to challenges like racialized and sexist interactions.

  • Control over partner choice is a key advantage.

The Rise of Hookup Culture

  • Historical context: Rise of hookup culture since the 1970s on college campuses leading to sexual exploration and risk behaviors.

  • Characterization: Culture is often heteronormative and male-centered, emphasizing male pleasure with negative implications for female participants.

  • Ambivalence: Many students report mixed feelings, with hookup culture linked to lower self-esteem and depression.

Participation and Social Exclusion

  • Significant social exclusion exists; many students, particularly those who find hookup culture distasteful, opt out.

  • Online dating apps offer alternative pathways for minority groups who may feel outcast in traditional settings.

Online Dating Evolution

  • Historical Background: Online dating started in the mid-90s but became prevalent due to smartphones and GPS dating apps.

  • Usage Statistics: 70% of college students report using dating platforms; these are ubiquitous on campuses.

Group Dynamics and Cultural Practices

  • Students approach dating apps as a casual, humorous bonding activity with friends.

  • Profile displays and swiping processes are often shared publicly among social circles.

  • Interface: The likelihood of seeing someone from dating apps on campus increases the social aspect of these platforms.

Emotional Dynamics

  • Low Anxiety: Students find online interactions less anxiety-provoking due to rejection being more indirect.

  • Mutual Attraction: Dating apps articulate mutual attraction in ways hookups do not, differing from the norms of casual encounters.

  • Positive Feedback Loop: Successful matches boost students' confidence and self-esteem.

Initial Meetings: Safety and Boundaries

  • Tinder dates often occur in public spaces and are usually sober, allowing for clear communication of desires and boundaries.

  • Cyber courting precedes physical meetings, fostering discussions about preferences and consent.

Safety Concerns

  • Students implement safety measures, such as sharing profile screenshots and meeting in public.

  • Women report feeling empowered through control over their dating encounters.

  • Men of color express heightened safety concerns, highlighting intersectional pressures.

Racial and Identity Dimensions of Dating Apps

  • Abstainers and Dabblers: Students who may find traditional hookups off-putting explore identity and relationships via apps.

  • Discovery: Many users describe their experience as self-discovery, challenging mainstream hookup culture.

Experiences of Minority Students

  • Students of color demonstrate nuanced use of apps, facing unique racialized discrimination while seeking connection.

  • Specialized dating apps can feel exclusionary for some; thus, many prefer mainstream platforms with broader demographics.

  • Negotiation of racial preferences is common, with users confronting societal beauty standards.

Conclusion and Future Research

  • The role of dating apps could potentially destabilize hookup culture and evolve college dating norms.

  • Future studies recommended to assess how to make online dating enjoyable and empowering for all demographics.