Online Dating in India Essay Example

asserts that India's dating culture is undergoing rapid change due to various factors such as the increasing average age for marriage, which significantly impacts the dating paradigm. This shift in mindset has also resulted in changes in dating patterns. In my dissertation research, I aim to explore the reasons behind this transformation within the realm of cyber dating. Cyber space, similar to physical space, is formed through a combination of spatial and temporal patterns. However, it differs from physical space by compressing time and eliminating geographical boundaries. Within this virtual realm, individuals can construct identities that may deviate from their true selves. The objectives of my study include: 1. Developing a regional profile of users on these dating sites; 2. Determining whether these online spaces complement real-life spaces for meeting and dating purposes; 3.To identify preferred meeting locations for users in person.

A study was conducted on a sample size of forty individuals aged 20-25 to investigate the safety and impact of online dating on traditional dating. The participants were randomly selected, and the research used open-ended and multiple-choice questionnaires distributed through Google forms and personal interviews. The objective of the dissertation titled "Taking Online Relations Offline" was to understand how online relationships progress to offline meetings and explore the reasons behind these meetings. The survey included 40 students from Facebook and 'indiandating', an online dating site.
With the growing acceptance of commercial dating sites for forming romantic relationships, there has been a increase in couples meeting online. In April 2011 alone, it was estimated that approximately 25 million unique users accessed online dating sites worldwide. In India, there are currently 6 million singles signed

up for online dating services, contributing to a market value estimated at $130 million USD in 2012.

It is projected that by 2015, India will have 115 million users of dating services (source:www. onlinedatingmagzine. com). The young population of India creates a significant market for online dating services. Some statistics about the Indian dating scene include:
By 2015 it is estimated India will have 115 million users of dating services.
20 percent of current committed relationships began online.
17 percent of marriages in 2012 started on an online dating site.
Why Online Dating: Dating is a form of courtship involving social activities between two individuals with the goal of assessing compatibility for an intimate relationship or marriage.

Online dating, also known as Internet dating or OD, is a system on the Internet that allows individuals, couples, and groups to connect and communicate with each other. The term refers to meeting and engaging in a mutually agreed social activity in public as a couple. Its main goal is usually to foster personal, romantic, or sexual relationships.

Online dating services, which can be accessed through personal computers or cell phones, provide extensive matchmaking on the Internet. This form of dating, known as Computer Mediated Communication (CMC), creates a distinct connection between potential partners that differs from traditional methods. It offers an alternative way for individuals to explore new and innovative romantic experiences without the limitations of time and space. What sets online dating apart is its ability to introduce possibilities and creativity that are not commonly found in real-life situations.

To clarify the terms used in this discussion, when I mention dating sites, I am

referring to websites primarily focused on facilitating new relationships. I am comparing them to conventional offline dating methods where strangers meet through social events, introductions by mutual friends, interactions with classmates or coworkers, etc. It is important to note that this type of dating has had limited success in countries like India where it is viewed as unconventional and associated with Western trends.

Arranged marriages are common in this country, where couples often meet for the first time on the eve of their wedding with family consent. Approaching someone in a cafeteria, bookshop, bar, or pub is not typical. However, online dating chat rooms provide opportunities for ice breakers such as "hello, how are things going? I am looking for like-minded people and found you..." If someone finds it offensive, they can choose to ignore that person.

According to an online research conducted in 2005 (source: online dating magazine), individuals who date online tend to be more confident than those who date offline. A study by BURMASTER (2005) in the Asian sub-continent revealed that one out of three internet users prefer meeting potential dating partners online. In fact, the internet ranks as the third most popular method of finding a date after meeting through friends and meeting someone at a club or pub.

To understand why online dating surpasses traditional dating, we need to consider three important features offered by online dating sites.

The online dating world has been significantly changed by three services: ACCESS, COMMUNICATION, and MATCHMAKING. ACCESS allows users to assess potential partners who may not be easily found using traditional dating methods. COMMUNICATION enables users to interact with

potential partners through various forms of Computer mediated communication (cmc) prior to meeting in person. MATCHMAKING uses a mathematical algorithm employed by dating sites to pair users with suitable partners. These three services have completely transformed the online dating landscape.

The dissertation aims to assess the state of online dating in India and investigate whether it supplants traditional in-person meetings and dating. Additionally, it seeks to ascertain users' perception of online dating safety and determine their preferred offline meeting locations after establishing an online connection. Online dating is appealing due to its adaptability and the novel possibilities it presents. Importantly, it also offers anonymity, enabling individuals to freely engage without worrying about societal morals or stigma.According to Ben-Ze-ev's book 'Love Online: Emotions on the Internet' (2003), cyberspace allows individuals to have control over what information they choose to share about themselves, creating a private world. The author argues that people feel safer in cyberspace than in physical space, leading to increased disclosure online. This sense of security reduces shame and promotes openness among individuals. The popularity of online dating can be attributed to the accessibility of the Internet, as well as the creative opportunities it offers and most importantly, the anonymity and freedoms it provides.

Online dating services offer a chance to detach from the emotional and societal obstacles faced in everyday life, allowing individuals to freely delve into various identities and fantasies. According to Mitchell (2009), the online dating sector generated $800 million in revenue in 2008, ranking it as the fourth most lucrative internet industry following online gambling, digital music, and online gaming. The advent of online dating platforms has transformed the way

people communicate and establish connections with potential romantic companions.

Online dating enables individuals to evaluate a potential partner's profile picture and bio. Alongside values, personality, style, interests, race, religion, gender, and even pin codes, these details aid dating sites in identifying the ideal match. Nonetheless, alternative venues like bars, outdoor events, group activities or simply reading a favorite book on a park bench also offer opportunities for people to discover their soulmate.

In our everyday lives, we come across people of the opposite sex who live among us. However, it is difficult to find that special person with whom we want to spend our life despite having many options. Online dating websites have become essential for many people searching for love. These platforms offer various advantages and save us from going on numerous dates in the hope of finding someone who even slightly meets our criteria.

If you frequently go on dates, you may find yourself regretting not knowing the person better beforehand. Going out often with strangers can be a waste of time, effort, and money, resulting in disappointing evenings. However, meeting someone online allows for a slower pace and a genuine understanding of each other. You have the opportunity to gradually communicate through different means like online messaging, instant messaging, and phone calls before deciding if an in-person meeting is wanted.

Connecting with someone online before going on a physical date can be advantageous. It provides an opportunity to get to know the person in a safe environment and from a comfortable distance, without having to endure an unpleasant dinner with someone who is incompatible. In the Indian context,

communication technology has both shrunk the world and increased expectations for performance and communication in digital spaces.

Our traditions are deeply rooted in us, yet we also desire to be a part of the vast cyber world where there are no inhibitions or moral code of conduct. We possess the power of anonymity. Today's youth select online dating not for casual encounters, but rather to discover their soul mate or a friend who meets their family's expectations. In this dissertation, I am diligently studying the Indian dating scene from a student's point of view. METHODOLOGY: This research encompasses four primary objectives.

The studies aim to achieve the following objectives on dating sites:
1. Developing a regional profile of users.
2. Evaluating the effectiveness of these sites in enabling real-life meetings and dates.
3. Identifying users' preferred meeting locations.
4. Assessing user perceptions of safety in online dating.
Several studies have explored online dating phenomenon using quantitative and qualitative methods, investigating different aspects like organizational structure, power dynamics within online communities, and how technology facilitates interactions.

This paper primarily examines how participants view online dating and their perception of it when transitioning to offline interactions. It also investigates the relationship between individuals' online identity and their everyday offline personality. The samples were collected using purposive sampling, which involves grouping participants based on criteria related to the research question. Factors like available resources, study time, and objectives impact the size of the sample.

In order to investigate this issue, I gathered samples from two sources: online platforms such as Facebook and indiandating.com. To do this, I utilized Google forms and

survey monkey. The sample consisted of forty adults, with an equal distribution of twenty males and twenty females. Their ages ranged from 20 to 25, and the majority were from Delhi. The size of the survey sample was intentionally limited due to consistent responses obtained from students and time constraints. This decision was made because all participants were students chosen to represent the preferences of Indian youth, who are the most active users on these sites.

Insights were derived from a group of ten individuals with diverse online dating experiences. These participants were selected from the same survey group and willingly shared their experiences. The interviews were transcribed, and relevant quotes are included. The survey consisted mainly of multiple-choice questions but also included some open-ended ones. It commenced by gathering information about the participants' gender, age, and occupation. Subsequently, it explored preferences for online or offline dating, evaluations of others' profiles, and decision-making processes when approaching potential partners. The questionnaire also collected data on preferred dating locations and the underlying reasons for these choices. This methodology proved advantageous in swiftly addressing the research question as it covered factual inquiries about demographics, education status, and gender while delving into perspectives, opinions, beliefs, and values held by the subjects through behavioral queries. This approach facilitated obtaining both qualitative data for analysis and hypothesis verification.

The interview method involved using a questionnaire along with personal interviews to collect data on subjects' experiences of transitioning from online dating to offline interactions. The questionnaire was administered to ten individuals who had engaged in online dating and had met potential partners in real life. To ensure objectivity, the subjects'

responses were transcribed verbatim. They were informed that their personal information would be used in a dissertation. Additionally, the subjects were asked open-ended questions, such as how they distinguish between fake and real profiles and why they choose to use online dating platforms or preferred locations to meet potential partners.

For this study, subjects were recruited from two popular dating and social networking sites: Facebook and indiandating.com. Indiandating.com was chosen due to its high ranking as an Indian dating site catering to the entire country. Facebook, despite not being strictly a dating site, was included because Indian youth heavily utilize it for dating purposes. This is due to the lower likelihood of encountering fake profiles, the site's free usage, and features like "people you may know" that facilitate meeting new individuals.

The focus of my dissertation is on the relationship between cyber space and online dating in India. This topic is relatively new and there has been limited research conducted on it. Additionally, there are no available ratings for dating sites in India. The exact size of India's internet user base is also unknown; however, it should be noted that as of December 2011, India ranks third globally with over 121 million users.
Although my study does not analyze regional profiles due to difficulties in tracing them with a small sample size and the fact that regional distinctions are irrelevant in cyber space, I investigate whether cyber space can replace real space in dating sites. Furthermore, I examine the reasons behind this phenomenon and identify the preferred locations for users to meet offline along with their motivations for choosing those places.

The aim

of my research is to analyze the variations in motivations for utilizing online dating among genders and how social cultural traits affect our behavior on the internet. Additionally, I intend to explore if online dating complements traditional methods and assess its pros and cons. The rise in popularity of dating websites can be attributed to societal trends like frequent job relocations, which result in a lack of proximity to friends and family who could act as matchmakers. Furthermore, people are now living longer, leading them to seek new relationships later in life. The widespread availability of high-speed internet has also simplified individuals' involvement in online dating. This study holds significance as it qualitatively examines participants' current behavior instead of relying on past patterns or future predictions. It provides an analysis of the existing dating landscape and its impact on real-life interactions. However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of this study, including the use of a small convenience sample compared to the large user base.

The caution in interpreting the results of the questionnaire and personal interviews is due to the small sample size. The questionnaire had 40 subjects, while there were only 10 participants for the personal interviews. These limitations in sample size resulted from time constraints during the survey conduct. It is important to note that my research specifically focuses on studying how and why students take their dating experiences offline, rather than evaluating all students' dating scenarios. However, it should be mentioned that my sample only includes student participants, excluding online daters who are employed, married, or over 25 years old. Additionally, due to time limitations, only 10 interviews were

conducted and their transcripts have been used as examples in this study. Despite efforts to remain unbiased, there is a possibility of personal bias influencing the findings.

LITERATURE REVIEW:
My dissertation topic is "taking online relationship offline," which has received limited previous research attention specifically in an Indian context. The following articles have helped me gain a basic understanding of this topic:
1. "Online Dating: A Critical Analysis From the Perspective of Psychological Science" by Eli J. Finkel1, Paul W. Eastwick, Benjamin R. Karney,
Harry T.

This article analyzes the assertion made by online dating websites that they are more effective in enhancing romantic outcomes than traditional dating methods. It assesses and combines data to formulate conclusions about this assertion. The study includes scholars from Northwestern University, Texas A&M University, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Rochester, and Illinois State University. Additionally, it emphasizes the distinctions between online dating sites and conventional dating platforms.

In this article, we explore the history of dating and emphasize the persistence of arranged marriages in certain parts of Southeast Asia. These marriages involve a third party who has a wider social network and influence, introducing two individuals. The article argues that online dating surpasses traditional methods by offering access to potential romantic partners, facilitating communication with them, and enabling matchmaking with compatible partners. The main goal is to evaluate if online dating represents a significant change in how relationships begin and if it leads to better romantic outcomes compared to offline dating. Additionally, the article traces the evolution of dating that ultimately led to the emergence of online dating.

This historical trend line helps us understand the development of

dating and the importance of third party intervention. It also explains how the masses' view of online dating has changed over time. Initially, it was seen as something only attempted by socially inept individuals who couldn't date in the real world and were labeled as 'nerds', 'desperates', or socially inept (Goodwin, 1990; Orr, 2004; Smaill, 2004; Whitty & Carr, 2006; Wildermuth & Vogl-Bauer, 2007). The early adopters of online dating were described as either shy or sleazy (Orr, 2004, p.29). This article examines the gradual growth and subsequent stigmatization of online dating before its eventual popularity boom. The article also explores whether online dating has fundamentally changed the process of finding romantic partners. It outlines nine steps involved in online dating and highlights how it offers superior access, communication, and matching compared to traditional methods. Ultimately, online dating provides access to potential partners that would be unlikely to cross paths through other means and opens up new romantic possibilities.

Despite the advantages of online dating, such as connecting individuals with potential partners they may not have met otherwise and facilitating a smooth transition to face-to-face interaction for better assessment of romantic compatibility, there are considerable drawbacks to the heavy emphasis on browsing profiles on dating sites. The effectiveness of current compatibility algorithms remains uncertain.

Although this reading provides inadequate guidance on starting a dissertation, it specifically focuses on the spatial and cultural settings within America. It does not discuss the circumstances and motivations behind how online relationships can flourish offline. However, overall, it concludes that online dating has become the most convenient way to meet individuals interested in dating or pursuing a potential

relationship.

Online dating is favored by many for various reasons. It allows individuals to expand their search for a long-term partner or soul-mate, facilitates better organization and planning of dating life for busy individuals, gives shy people a platform to communicate behind a computer monitor, enables the assessment of chemistry before meeting in person, provides the ability to filter matches based on preferences, and benefits from the social acceptance of online dating. A presentation at the Identities in Action conference by Mikael Jakobsson and Victoria Popdan (1999) takes an auto-ethnographic approach to explore the online interaction that resulted in friendship between the two authors.

The study focuses on discourse conducted through the graphical chat systems of “Active Worlds” and “The Palace" and examines two main areas. The authors, Jakobsson and Popdan, primarily explore the portrayal and perception of identity in a text-based reality. They conclude, in a general sense, that certain aspects of personality are emphasized while others are de-emphasized. The authors argue that online communication barriers encourage participants to behave more openly and confidently express their true selves. They view the technology as a mask that reveals rather than hides, allowing individuals to be more open. In addition, the authors observe that this phenomenon can be captured by the saying "the mask does not hide, it reveals" (Jakobsson and Popdan 1999: 5). As a result, I conducted a survey and used statistical techniques to gain a better understanding of the Indian dating scenario among my subjects. All the results were compiled in a single excel sheet for easier data analysis.

The questionnaire and interview were conducted to validate the objectives of my dissertation.

These objectives encompassed tracing the demographic profile of users on dating sites, investigating whether these online platforms supplement real-life spaces for meeting and dating, identifying preferred sites for in-person meetings, and determining participants' perception of safety while using dating sites and the underlying reasons behind it. To fulfill these goals, I divided my questionnaire into subparts. The initial section primarily aimed at tracing the demographic profile of users on dating sites. A sample size of 40 individuals participated in the survey, with an equal distribution of twenty males and twenty females.

The relationship status of college users, usually aged 20-25, is an important factor. A questionnaire survey showed that all individuals within this age group are students. To understand why this group uses online dating platforms, I conducted a survey with multiple choice questions. My research revealed that

The study aimed to determine if individuals utilize regional chat rooms during online dating to find nearby potential partners. The findings indicate that most of the randomly selected sample are under 25 years old. In comparison to males, females display less involvement in online dating but demonstrate greater engagement in reconnecting with past acquaintances. As females grow older, their participation in online dating declines, unlike males who do not show a similar trend. This distinction may be attributed to males getting married later in life and consequently seeking potential dating prospects. It is observed that males primarily engage in conversations within regional chat rooms to facilitate offline meetings, while the majority of girls avoid using these chat rooms due to anonymity concerns and avoiding encounters with familiar individuals.

The data also suggests that males find it easier

to express themselves online, allowing them to behave differently from their real-life persona. Utilizing technology for communication can lead to reduced social conformity as it eliminates peer judgment pressure. Additionally, males tend to use online dating platforms for creating new friendships rather than reconnecting with old ones; on the other hand, females are attracted by its anonymity which enables them to freely express themselves without fearing judgment. Although females also employ online dating for meeting new people, it is less prevalent compared to males.The text implies that people utilize the internet to express themselves more freely by using the character-based nature of cyberspace to exhibit qualities and physical features they feel are missing in their daily lives.

The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of using online spaces as an additional option for meeting and dating, in addition to real-life spaces. In India, approaching strangers in public places like cafes or clubs can be challenging, leading to the increasing popularity of online dating. To test this idea, I conducted a survey and found that among 20 girls surveyed, 17 found it easier to socialize online and 14 actively tried dating through these websites. The results were even more positive for boys. Historically in India, intermediaries such as religious leaders, parents, and elderly women played a role in facilitating dating by introducing individuals they personally knew on a smaller scale. However, online dating provides users with the ability to view potential partners' profiles without their knowledge. This gives individuals the power to gather information about potential partners before deciding whether they want to arrange an initial meeting.

The availability of potential

partners, communication tools, and the ability to evaluate compatibility sets online dating apart from traditional dating. Online dating platforms offer various features such as chat rooms, photo sharing, video sharing, gaming options, and more. While some similar features can be found in offline dating, there are notable distinctions. In traditional dating, going on a date is a public affair where cultural norms may influence the experience.