Bumble Predicts Traditional Dating Is Going Out The Window In 2024
Look around, and you'll find plenty of proof that traditional dating is on its way out. Singles are smashing the date-triarchy, trying ethical sex-ploration, and test-driving other trends that buck old norms. In 2024, this shift toward the unconventional will continue, according to Bumble. The dating app surveyed nearly 27,000 users and rounded up its findings in its annual dating trends report.
As Bumble's sex and relationships expert Dr. Caroline West told Stylist, daters — and especially women — are approaching love in a new way compared to past generations. Romance is no longer viewed as a requisite for a fulfilling life, and more of us are happy to balance other priorities rather than putting marriage front and center. "Being single is not the end of the world. And this mindset, for many women, opens up opportunities, allowing them time and energy to pour into other areas of their lives rather than the traditional milestone expectations like marriage and kids," Dr. West explained.
That doesn't mean most singles are abandoning relationships altogether. Instead, they're rewriting the rules and tweaking old dating habits that no longer serve them. If you've been burned by bad dates, these trends might work for you in 2024 too.
Timelines and age gaps are no longer a deal-breaker
Consult any women's magazine or Instagram dating coach, and they'll probably tell you to go into relationships with a clear idea of what you want: what kind of partner you like, the level of commitment you desire, your relationship goals... While daters may still be following this idea to some extent in 2024, they likely won't be as rigid with their expectations. According to Bumble's data, 31% of single women are dropping outdated relationship timelines that suggest romance is only meant to end in marriage. In fact, only 23% of the women surveyed by Bumble say they're looking to tie the knot. Don't assume this means people just want to keep it casual, though: 72% say they're looking for a long-term relationship.
Similarly, age is no longer a deciding factor for many singles when choosing a partner. As a matter of fact, 63% of Bumble respondents don't put a strict limit on age, and 59% of women note they're open to dating someone younger. Navigating an age gap is no longer as taboo as it once was, and for women who date younger men, this seems to be a sign of greater gender equality. As matchmaker Julia Spira told Today, "Women are now going to be dating like men. [...] These days, women have the economic power, they've got great careers, so they aren't necessarily looking for somebody to be their equal on a bank statement."
Daters are done with being perfect
You've likely known someone (maybe even yourself!) who committed to going to the gym, reading self-help books, or refreshing their wardrobe before they started dating. While there's nothing wrong with a little self-improvement, the old idea that you have to change in order to be desirable is no longer meshing with the singles of today — and that's a good thing. Just over half of Bumble respondents say they feel stuck on the self-improvement treadmill, though a greater share (68%) are making an effort to accept themselves as they are. Moreover, 40% of women refuse to date a partner who pressures them to change.
Dr. Caroline West elaborated on this trend to Indy100: "We see this in the rise of body acceptance, making peace with your body as opposed to body positivity. People are just accepting who they are and where they are and feeling worthy in themselves as they are. So I think that's really positive." She also suggested that more women are embracing their soft-girl era and taking a gentle, low-stress approach to their love lives.
With this shift in mind, expect more singles to show up on dates as their most authentic selves — no more hiding behind therapy speak, a running habit they actually hate, or the "perfect" first date outfit. That's a dating trend we can all get behind.