“I Couldn’t Help but Wonder…” The Ambivalence of Using Tinder and Hinge in Copenhagen – Experiences from 13 Young Women
(2025) SOCM05 20251Sociology
- Abstract
- In recent years, dating apps have become a dominant way for young people to initiate romantic connections. However, these platforms are embedded in broader societal transformations marked by emotional detachment, commodification, and accelerated life rhythms. This thesis explores how such dynamics shape romantic relationships for young heterosexual women in Copenhagen. Specifically, it investigates how dating apps like Tinder and Hinge influence the formation and maintenance of romantic relationships within the context of contemporary capitalism, fluid modernity, and a fast-paced society. The study examines how digital dating culture intersects with emotional expectations, gender norms, and the desire for meaningful connection. Based on a... (More)
- In recent years, dating apps have become a dominant way for young people to initiate romantic connections. However, these platforms are embedded in broader societal transformations marked by emotional detachment, commodification, and accelerated life rhythms. This thesis explores how such dynamics shape romantic relationships for young heterosexual women in Copenhagen. Specifically, it investigates how dating apps like Tinder and Hinge influence the formation and maintenance of romantic relationships within the context of contemporary capitalism, fluid modernity, and a fast-paced society. The study examines how digital dating culture intersects with emotional expectations, gender norms, and the desire for meaningful connection. Based on a qualitative research design, the study draws on one focus group and ten semi-structured interviews with women aged 25 to 31 living in Copenhagen. The analysis is grounded in a philosophical hermeneutic approach and uses thematic analysis. The theoretical framework combines Zygmunt Bauman’s (2004) concept of liquid love, Hartmut Rosa’s (2014) theory of social acceleration and alienation, and Eva Illouz’s (2021) theory of the commodification of intimacy. The analysis first examines how dating apps commodify romantic relationships; second, it explores how they affect the pursuit of long-term commitment. Findings show that while dating apps offer increased access to potential partners and a sense of control, they also foster emotional fatigue, superficiality, and detachment. Many participants expressed ambivalence toward app-based dating and a preference for slower, more embodied forms of connection. The study concludes that meaningful romantic relationships are often rooted in decelerated, offline interactions - challenging the dominant logics of speed and consumption in digital dating culture. It thus contributes to digital dating research by showing how emotional ambivalence coexists with platforms’ ideals of control and accessibility. (Less)
- Popular Abstract
- Dating apps like Tinder and Hinge have become a natural part of modern love life, especially for young people living in big cities. But how do these platforms actually affect the way we form romantic relationships? This thesis explores that question through experiences from 13 young women living in Copenhagen, who have used dating apps within the past year.
This thesis draws on sociological theories about modern love, consumer culture, and the fast pace of digital life. It shows how dating apps reflect broader societal trends: we want freedom and flexibility, but we also long for meaningful, lasting connections. Dating today is thus shaped by freedom, flexibility, and fast-paced digital interactions, but also by uncertainty, emotional... (More) - Dating apps like Tinder and Hinge have become a natural part of modern love life, especially for young people living in big cities. But how do these platforms actually affect the way we form romantic relationships? This thesis explores that question through experiences from 13 young women living in Copenhagen, who have used dating apps within the past year.
This thesis draws on sociological theories about modern love, consumer culture, and the fast pace of digital life. It shows how dating apps reflect broader societal trends: we want freedom and flexibility, but we also long for meaningful, lasting connections. Dating today is thus shaped by freedom, flexibility, and fast-paced digital interactions, but also by uncertainty, emotional fatigue, and a growing sense of detachment.
Through interviews, this study sheds light on a deep ambivalence toward online dating culture. On the one hand, dating apps offer easy access to potential partners, a sense of control, and less fear of rejection. On the other hand, they often lead to superficial encounters, emotional fatigue, and a “shopping”-like culture where people are treated like products to be swiped away. Even though Tinder and Hinge try to make dating feel more personal by using prompts, many users still feel pressure to present themselves in the best possible way all the time. This can make dating feel stressful and uncertain, because you're constantly trying to look interesting and emotionally open.
In a city like Copenhagen, where many young people are single and social life is often fragmented, dating apps offer both opportunity and overload. While dating apps make it easier to meet new people, they also risk turning dating into a cycle of endless swiping, superficial encounters, and constant pressure to present oneself. Likewise, many of the women expressed a desire for more “organic” ways of meeting people: offline, in everyday life, and through shared communities. In short, while dating apps have changed the way we meet, they have not necessarily made it easier to fall in love. Swiping may start the conversation, but real connection takes more than a match. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9192911
- author
- Wulff, Amalie Chimera LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SOCM05 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Digital Dating Culture, Copenhagen, Romantic Relationships, Commodification, Contemporary Capitalism, Liquid love, Social Acceleration
- language
- English
- id
- 9192911
- date added to LUP
- 2025-06-09 13:02:30
- date last changed
- 2025-06-09 13:02:30
@misc{9192911,
abstract = {{In recent years, dating apps have become a dominant way for young people to initiate romantic connections. However, these platforms are embedded in broader societal transformations marked by emotional detachment, commodification, and accelerated life rhythms. This thesis explores how such dynamics shape romantic relationships for young heterosexual women in Copenhagen. Specifically, it investigates how dating apps like Tinder and Hinge influence the formation and maintenance of romantic relationships within the context of contemporary capitalism, fluid modernity, and a fast-paced society. The study examines how digital dating culture intersects with emotional expectations, gender norms, and the desire for meaningful connection. Based on a qualitative research design, the study draws on one focus group and ten semi-structured interviews with women aged 25 to 31 living in Copenhagen. The analysis is grounded in a philosophical hermeneutic approach and uses thematic analysis. The theoretical framework combines Zygmunt Bauman’s (2004) concept of liquid love, Hartmut Rosa’s (2014) theory of social acceleration and alienation, and Eva Illouz’s (2021) theory of the commodification of intimacy. The analysis first examines how dating apps commodify romantic relationships; second, it explores how they affect the pursuit of long-term commitment. Findings show that while dating apps offer increased access to potential partners and a sense of control, they also foster emotional fatigue, superficiality, and detachment. Many participants expressed ambivalence toward app-based dating and a preference for slower, more embodied forms of connection. The study concludes that meaningful romantic relationships are often rooted in decelerated, offline interactions - challenging the dominant logics of speed and consumption in digital dating culture. It thus contributes to digital dating research by showing how emotional ambivalence coexists with platforms’ ideals of control and accessibility.}},
author = {{Wulff, Amalie Chimera}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{“I Couldn’t Help but Wonder…” The Ambivalence of Using Tinder and Hinge in Copenhagen – Experiences from 13 Young Women}},
year = {{2025}},
}