![Quantcast](http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-GS-HF4BKvzCmv.gif)
![happy-young-Black-couple-having-romantic-dinner-date-night-at-home-by-candlelight](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy81MDg3ODI2Ny9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTc0ODI4MDcwM30._A6B1JZlnPdYylhj-e5zrv7idJFzmoOLV3HlnNiw3io/img.jpg?width=1200&height=600&quality=90&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C352)
The 2024 Dating Trends We're Marveling Over
As we say farewell to the exuberant highs and difficult lows of 2023, and make peace with the promising lovers that didn’t quite pan out as envisioned, let’s look forward to the endless possibilities the new year awaits.
If you’ve been yearning for a meaningful, healthy love, ripe with green flags–hoping that 2024 cements the auspicious year you finally find love (or it serendipitously finds you), then you’re in luck!
Bumble released their annual predictions for what dating will look like in 2024, and based on extensive research of roughly 26,000 survey takers, get ready! Amid the dating trends, the upcoming year will have you unabashedly prioritizing yourself. Coined the “year of self,” singles are expected to date someone who aligns with their core values–emotional, social, political, and more–while rejecting societal norms such as old-school dating timelines.
As you prepare your heart’s desire for love, update your empowering morning affirmations, set clear intentions, and assemble the crafts and magazine cutouts for your vision board, here are the dating trends you can anticipate for 2024.
8 2024 Dating Trends, According to Bumble
As you prepare for the new year, here are the dating trends you can anticipate in love in 2024.
Oliver Rossi/Getty Images
Traditional Dating Timelines and Expectations are Withering
The front of your fridge is likely plastered in save-the-dates for a slew of weddings, and thus, it might seem as though everyone and their momma is getting married. But women are increasingly eschewing the tradition of marriage while still longing for commitment. Only 23 percent of women are seeking marriage, however, and eye-opening, 72 percent of women are seeking a long-term relationship, according to Bumble.
And many women are shaking up tradition when it comes to jumping the broom instead of according to the timeline of societal expectations. Only 31 percent of women are no longer focused on complying with these relationship milestones, and nearly half (16 percent) are willing to avoid friends and family who apply pressure on women to achieve these milestones. Because…healthy boundaries.
Widening the Age Gap
The 90s changed the cultural zeitgeist and shaped what a flourishing love without limits could look like with the awe-inspiring debut of How Stella Got Her Groove Back. And the freedom of choosing whom to date without the strains of ageism, is expected to deepen through 2024 as daters are broadening their age range desires. Women happen to be at the heart of the change.
Bumble says, a whopping 63 percent of women believe age isn’t a defining factor when dating, while 59 percent of women have expanded their horizons, saying they’re open to dating someone younger. And 35 percent of women are admitting to becoming less judgmental towards age-gap relationships over the last year. As Aaliyah melodiously imprinted us with her hit song, “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number.” And that could surely be the anthem for 2024.
Quality Trumps Quantity
From social media to scores of dating apps, technology has provided singles with an array of options, but quality is the key ingredient for the secret recipe of building and sustaining long-lasting relationships. Dating apps are often touted as a “numbers game,” however, in an effort to find both a quality partner and to better protect their mental health, 31 percent of daters are engaging in “slow dating” and being considerate of how often they’re going on dates, as told by Bumble.
Slow dating is people taking the time to get to know each other and build a connection before deciding if they want to pursue the relationship or meet in person.
In fact, 58 percent of singles are more open about their mental health with friends, family, and partners. As for the caliber of attributes singles are searching for, 36 percent of women are seeking people who practice and value self-care. While it may often feel like it truly is a numbers game in these elusive dating streets, rest assured that seeking a high-quality partner is on the rise for 2024.
Slow dating is people taking the time to get to know each other and build a connection before taking the next step.
bojanstory/Getty Images
Emotional Intimacy is Just as Important as Sexual Intimacy
What’s equally as gratifying as sexual intimacy, if not more? Emotional intimacy. Proving that substance is still valued when it comes to dating, Bumble says that 78 percent of women believe that their partner having an understanding of both emotional and physical intimacy is paramount. Relishing in safety, security, and mutual understanding is critical for singles seeking romantic connection.
Over a third of singles believe that emotional intimacy is now more important and attractive than sex. If you’re craving more depth in your future partner, 2024 is the year to fulfill both your emotional and sexual intimacy needs/wants.
Social and Political Causes are Non-Negotiable
Perhaps it was our beloved former President, Barack Obama, and former First Lady, Michelle Obama, that altered what a relationship or marriage could be like when two share similar values surrounding social and political causes we deeply care about. Or maybe it’s the blatant and ongoing civil unrest in the U.S. that permeates Black and Brown communities, shaking up social media and the world at large that has completely transformed dating, spotlighting if singles truly are compatible.
2024 is all about alignment when it comes to key social and political issues, particularly relating to women, and Bumble’s research backs this up: 33 percent of women find it a major turn-off if someone they’re dating isn’t keen on current social issues. Meanwhile, a quarter of singles believe a partner is more attractive when they are actively involved with social and political causes. Because while the term may have been negatively hijacked, there’s nothing more alluring than a woke partner who’s equally invested in essential issues that affect multi-generations and marginalized communities worldwide.
Sports are a Shared Love Language
The 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas and the Summer Olympics in Paris aren’t the only main sports events that are poised to rally one another together. A mutual love for sports has become a requirement for daters, with 31 percent of singles believing a shared love of sports is non-negotiable, according to Bumble. And this resonates heavily with Gen-Z and Millennials who account for 24 percent who say that attending a game together is important.
But if you’re not a part of the majority who live to throw on their favorite team jersey and attend the latest game or fixate your attention at a sports bar while grubbing down a bucket of hot wings, do not worry! Hardcore sports fans looking to find their match are also open to dating if you’re a sports player who prefers to get out the house and get active.
Rejecting Unworthiness
The desire to be seen, heard, loved, appreciated, and wanting to feel like the best version of yourself is human nature. Bumble notes that “self-optimization,” or striving to become the perfect version of yourself, has been trending. Self-optimization is greatly punctuated by a bombardment of the latest beauty, fitness, and wellness hacks, plus conflicting dating, and self-help advice on social media. It’s no wonder that over half (55 percent) of singles feel pressured to seek personal improvement, leaving 24 percent feeling unworthy of a partner. (Personal betterment is always noble but not at the expense of feeling undeserving on behalf of other’s wishes.)
Fortunately, the vapid feeling of “not enough” is getting dragged to the wayside. Because dating in 2024 is about accepting and loving yourself for who you are and finding a partner on the same wavelength. And this is especially true for the 40 percent of women who say they will only date people who won’t change them. Independent of a partner, 68 percent of women are taking charge to ensure happiness, now.
May you feel empowered to cultivate unbridled happiness, now, and all throughout the new year.
Dating in 2024 is about accepting and loving yourself for who you are and finding a partner on the same wavelength
zamrznutitonovi/Getty Images
Vulnerability in Masculinity
If you’ve ever dated a male partner and felt as though he could improve upon expressing his true emotions, feelings, and desires–or you’re hoping that in 2024, you will connect with a lover who is vulnerable–then good news: men are becoming more open and vulnerable in their romantic relationships. Perhaps the increasing willingness of men to attend therapy in the last decade has shifted their attitudes.
Bumble proclaims, now more than ever, 25 percent of men say they’ve changed their behavior in dating and relationships and are more vulnerable. And 32 percent of men believe being open and vulnerable is the most important aspect of a relationship.
This new mindset has one in four men saying that the new-found openness has had a positive impact on their mental health. The new year is looking like healthy, open-hearted romantic connections abound.
Whether you plan on swiping right or meeting your new beau the old-fashioned way IRL, hopefully, these Bumble dating trends for 2024 help prepare you for a fortuitous dating journey in the new year. And while neither data nor a shiny crystal ball can predict what's in store for your romantic relationships, may all your good intentions and efforts manifest in your favor.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by zamrznutitonovi/Getty Images
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Blair Underwood Initially Turned Down 'Sex And The City' Because 'It Was About How Samantha Was Fascinated By Dating A Black Man’
Actor and heartthrob Blair Underwood is opening up about why he turned down Sex and the City the first time he was offered a role. Many fans of the HBO series may recall Blair's time on the show in which his character was dating Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). However, he was previously offered another role where his character would date Samantha (Kim Cattrall).
During his interview with AV Club, the Set It Off star revealed that he was uncomfortable with the initial offer due to the character's fascination with him being a Black man.
“I actually did say ‘no’ the first time,” he said. “The first time they had offered the role, to be honest with you, it was about how Samantha was fascinated by dating a Black man and wanted to know if, uh, all of the rumors were true about our anatomy! And I said, ‘Listen, I’m honored, thank you, but I just don’t want to play a character based on race, on curiosity about a Black man.'”
But that didn't stop them from reaching out again. This time he was offered to play Dr. Robert Leeds, the love interest to Miranda and he decided to go for it. "So they were nice enough to call about a year later, and I said, 'Well, is it gonna be about race?' And they said, 'No, no, no, we’re not even gonna mention race!' And I think it really did only come up maybe once," he recalled.
"It did five episodes, and I think Samantha mentioned it once, saying something about 'a Black doctor' that Miranda was dating. And that’s really been a consistent thing in my career: not wanting to be boxed as 'the Black guy.'
"I’ve had that conversation with many producers along the way, and they were so great. They said, 'No, he’s just a doctor who Miranda meets in the elevator, and they have a nice little fling.' And it was amazing."
Blair has had a wide-ranging career playing everything from a lawyer on L.A. Law to playing Madame CJ Walker's husband on Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame CJ Walker. And during his interview, he revealed another role that he initially turned down, Set It Off. The movie, which is considered a classic in Black culture, stars Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise. Blair's character, Keith, played a banker and love interest to Jada's character, Stony.
He explained why he said no at first and eventually accepted the offer. "I had initially said “no” to that. Because I was playing this historic, iconic African-American historical figure in Jackie Robinson, and the time, y’know, there was Boyz N The Hood, and Menace II Society was out there, and I’d finished playing this noble Negro… [Laughs]," he said.
"And I’m reading the script, and there’s a scene where Jada Pinkett’s character—Jada Pinkett-Smith now—was going to sell her body so she could make some money to send her brother to college. And I remember, honestly, I threw the script across the room. I was, like, “I don’t want to do this. I want to do something uplifting for the Black culture and Black characters, and I don’t know if I want to see this.”
After a conversation with the movie's director F. Gary Gray and the actor's manager encouraging him to finish reading the script, Blair had a change of heart. What he first thought about the movie turned out to be totally different.
"So I finished the script, and I saw that the character they were asking me to play was really the love story in the midst of all of this turmoil of all of these characters, the four ladies: Queen Latifah, Vivica Fox, Kimberly Elise, and Jada," he explained.
"It was so well-written, it was such a great platform for them. And to be able to play the love story and the storyline that gave Jada’s character a leg up and a way out of this world, something to hope for, to wish for, someone to love her… I said, 'You know what? I’d like to be a part of that.'
"And I’m so glad I did, because that film resonates to this day. People all the time come up to me and say that they love that movie. So I’m glad that I did it."