Pandemic Dating Is Hard – But Hasn't Dating Always Been Difficult?

It’s weirdly reassuring, TBH.

- Patia Braithwaite

IT’S NO SECRET THAT COVID-19 has complicated causal sex and IRL dating in a big way. But dating sucked before the pandemic – and recognising that it’s always been potentially brilliant yet usually crap can help us stay grounded during this incredibly chaotic time. The Pew Center for Research in Washington surveyed 4 860 people in October 2019, and found that, well, people thought dating was hard back then too. More specifically, the survey revealed that 47% of the respondents say dating’s harder than it was 10 years ago. And while technology’s made aspects of dating easier for many, 67% of those surveyed described their dating lives as going ‘not too well’ or ‘not well at all’. The research highlights all sorts of other interesting pre-pandemic tidbits, such as varying attitudes on topics like sending nudes, breaking up over text message, and whether or not you can date someone with differing political beliefs. The stats are compelling – people have strong (and conflicting) views on dating and relationships – but they highlight what most single folks already know. It’s hard to find people with whom you connect and even harder to maintain the connection long enough to start a relationship. Dating difficulties are evergreen. OK, so that was dating way back in 2019 (which seems like another lifetime), but isn’t it worse now? After all, it’s still a struggle to assess the risk of doing simple things like doing the weekly shop.