More and more our digital dating world keeps coming up with new terms for bad behavior. Thought it was just happening to millennials? Think again. My Happiness Hypothesis study found that it is happening across the globe to both men and women for millennials and GenX. Many are experiencing it, but don’t know there is a term for it. It is creating the paradox effect in dating: the illusion of having more social engagement, social capital, and popularity; but masking one’s true persona and intent. Since some are interfacing digitally more than physically it is much easier to emotionally manipulate others because they are reliant on what I call “Vanity Validation“. Their digital persona is constantly seeking more validation through electronic likes/swipes, not life experiences.
Social media creates global connectedness, sharing life events, dating ease; but it also can create lower self-esteem, obsessive social stalking, and “Vanity Validation”. Has social media facilitated suboptimal dating behaviors? Have we become too reliant on checking social? How has it impacted our dating lives? Has it become easier to ghost, bench, gaslight or breadcrumb in today’s digital world? Are we causing self-inflicted pain while dating? For the Happiness Hypothesis Study, I conducted in-depth interviews with men and women, ranging from ages 28-73, that are active online dating app users and found that:
- 80% reported it being easier to ghost, bench, gaslight or breadcrumb because of the lack of communication and face-to-face interaction
- 80% of millennials reported having experienced ghosting, benching, gaslighting or breadcrumbing firsthand
- 45% reported the average length of dates in between ghosting someone was 8
- 50% reported an average of at least 3 months before reaching out again to the person they ghosted
Meanwhile the other person waits to hear back and wonder why they weren’t worthy a response. These current dating trends are just an extension of how we use our social media. We’re treating people like we do our social media streams. The shiniest object is what we stop at, then move onto the next shiny object. But, there is a vicious cycle to these dating patterns. What fuels it? Social media! Being connected to the person that has ghosted, benched, gaslit or breadcrumbed can have detrimental effects on your self-esteem. When I asked how often do you check the social feeds of those that have expressed some form of interest in you? 90% said daily. Once they have had a ghosting, benching, gaslighting or breadcrumbing experience, it becomes weekly for 70%.
Are we creating a false reality? What is it doing to our sense of self? You’re a backup plan, but they text or reach out often enough to confuse you just in case their plan doesn’t work out. Are we becoming more narcissistic? Are we becoming more insecure? Has this behavior become normative? Is technology driving dating, sex and emotion?
Literally nothing about your findings here surprise me. I felt at the time I was last dating that for several of the women, they were looking for an accessory, and not a partner, to fit into a neat little box. I guess I was lucky that it was just one or two or maybe it’s just the age range I was looking at (early 30s to early 40s). Your stats seem to suggest this behaviour is reaching epidemic proportions from both men and women. It’s not good for anyone. No wonder everyone feels unlucky in love.
Thanks so much CUCH for sharing your insights! Yes, unfortunately it is becoming common practice for both men and women, millennials & GenX, and it is occurring in the US and Europe. I wrote a different piece for the HuffPost sharing the global trend with some very alarming vignettes. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-truth-about-the-dating-playing-field-for-millennial_us_591b860be4b0a8551f3f83f1 and this one https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/58cf6656e4b0e0d348b34544.
I attribute the behavior to tech driving the behaviors. But, I also find that self-esteem plays a role in the cycle of returning. I continue to work on a solution for why take them back so they can repeat the same pattern. I have been working on creating new products that offer solutions and preventive measures to help the modern dating scene achieve the results they need.
I am so glad you only experienced it a few times and where able to not internalize it as rejection (which is 90% of the cases).
I never took the time to really read what was written. But now I have, I was in a very bad relationship with a female that I gave part of my soul to . And long story short I still wasn’t enough no matter what or how better I tried to make the next day and myself for her . It took so much from me when I finally got it through my head and heart that she just didn’t want me. I gave everything I had blood ,sweat,tear,my soul. I still haven’t been with another woman yet 8 months later. Even as bad as I want to and need to . I’m scare! But I’m very lonely and sad and still very hurt.
Thanks for sharing your story and your honesty. Healing from past relationships do take time. But, you must remember not to persecute yourself over the relationship. After all, you demonstrated that you were able to love and it may have helped you understand what is a better fit for you in the future. I wrote this article as a helpful reference: http://yourejustadumbass.com/2012/10/22/lets-reframe-hurt/.