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I debating on the topic of my op-ed project and this idea has turned into the start of my blog. I wouldn't say my friends and I are sour or bitter towards relationships, but it does make us wonder: why is no one dating anymore? And why are perceptions of dating different nowadays? Majority of me and my friends are not in relationships and are definitely not thinking of getting into one, but we still talk to people, hook-up, and are on the apps. Is hook-up culture really the new dating culture of the 2020s? Perhaps I am just judgmental but is the idea of someone being in a relationship somewhat seen differently? When a woman my age says she's in a relationship I can't help but think differently, not necessarily in a bad way, but the pressures of the independent woman are so prevalent, especially now. If you are unaware, the independent woman phenomenon is how women are becoming extremely independent, and maybe it's an increase of women pursuing careers and getting educated, also leading to people getting married later. This also brings the idea of the lonely man epidemic, hence from the name, men are dating less. We can often see a woman in a relationship be perceived as not being a girl's girl, the boyfriend is not treating her well, or that the relationship takes up too much time away from friendships. This example is heterosexual and homosexual relationships would be seen differently in my opinion, since being in lgbtq+ relationships take so much courage in this political climate. But I still haven't answered the question: why aren't people dating? I think it's the combination of the independent woman, online dating/dating apps, hook-up culture, and people just not wanting to be in serious relationships with people. I hope one day to conduct real research on this topic, but for now my blog will do. Whether people don't have time for relationships, only want "casual," or just can't find the right person, I know one thing quite confidently, that we are always looking for the next best thing. Which isn't a bad thing, it's only human nature to want better and to find something that is what we consider is worth our dedication and time. When you think about it, in a way it's kinda respectable, for I can't judge myself when I want to be as far as possible from being in a serious relationship. We are also never really taught what healthy relationships are, or some may not have grown up with good examples of a healthy, happy, relationship. So no wonder majority of people aren't in relationships. It can be a combination of not wanting one due to previous experiences or ideas of what relationships are or not knowing how to be in a health relationship. Less dates, more hook-ups is what the current dating climate is like in the 2020s. Of course, the pandemic played a part into becoming less social in person and more reliant on the apps and social media to meet people. I shall leave you with a quote from the Carrie Bradshaw, "Welcome to the age of un-innocence."