the dating industry at large is perpetually badgering single people to redownload, buy premium subscriptions, and remain in the romantic marketplace. This begs the question: Has a celibate woman become more threatening than a sexual one?
Caroline Gill of IMA mused that the idea might have stemmed from universal dating fatigue, suggesting, "I think every woman who has endured online dating has, at some point, said, 'Fuck it, I’m joining a convent.'"
But, the ad fell from grace, missing the mark at a critical time when discussions about women's safety are paramount. Audrey Dahmen crit... See more
Researchers have posited that the rise in sexlessness could be linked to decreasing alcohol consumption among young people and an increase in time spent on social media. But for the young celibate women interviewed by Insider, it's a direct reaction to feeling oversexualized and undervalued by their male counterparts.
The movement has taken off on TikTok, where #celibacyjourney has nearly 40 million views, and videos of women discussing celibacy garner hundreds of thousands of views and hundreds of comments. While some men have posted about it, the majority of posts appear to be from young, heterosexual women — often seeking to address the role that patriarchy a... See more
"Decentering men is working," Regina said. "And all these companies that rely on using you as the product are scrambling, trying to get you back in. Dating sites used to be free because you're the product. They are selling you to men without your consent.".
People on TikTok took issue with the messaging, labeling it "tone-deaf" and offensive — particularly to those who had chosen a celibate lifestyle as a result of trauma.
For some, it's a statement against casual sex — a middle finger to men who they feel value them only for their bodies. To others, it's a means to recover from bad hookups or bad relationships, especially if they've been layered on top of previous sexual traumas.
Increasingly, consumers (Gen Z’s especially) are seemingly ditching Bumble, Hinge, and Tinder in favor of apps that better cater to their preferences and behaviors. In the last 18 months or so, a new paradigm of dating apps has emerged, many of which draw upon growing behaviors around gaming, live and short-form video (Curtn, Lolly, Snack, Filter O... See more