Love, Intimacy and Online Dating: How a Global Pandemic Redefined Romantic Relationships

Love, Intimacy, and Online Dating: How a Global Pandemic Redefined Romantic Relationships is an innovative work that explores the concept of intimacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides an overview of the online dating world and apps, explores the users motivation for joining, and examines the themes and elements of online dating. It also discusses the differences between virtual and In Real Life (IRL) intimacy, the generation of gender, and the emanation of stereotypical cultural ideals. The book serves as an invaluable discussion on the pandemics impact on modifying the definitions of romance and intimacy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 108 pages
Publication date: 29 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Love, Intimacy, and Online Dating: How a Global Pandemic Redefined Romantic Relationships is a groundbreaking work that delves into the concept of intimacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The book offers a comprehensive overview of the online dating world and apps, which gradually gained popularity as the pandemic limited physical interactions. Through extensive research conducted during the pandemic, the authors provide a thorough understanding of individuals' motivations to join dating apps, exploring its various aspects.

This meticulously researched book explores the themes and elements of online dating, examining the users' motivation for joining a dating app, seeking intimacy, and self-presentation on the platform. Portolan critically examines the underlying politics and infrastructure of dating apps, highlighting how gender, power, and intimacy intersect to create new forms of intimacy. She also introduces the key concept of Jagged Love, which describes a cyclical relationship between users and dating apps during the pandemic, and the gap between users' expectations for familiar romantic narratives and the apps' inability to deliver. The chapters further explore the differences between virtual and In Real Life (IRL) intimacy, the generation of gender, and the perpetuation of stereotypical cultural ideals sought through the apps.

The book serves as a valuable discussion on the pandemic's impact on modifying the definitions of romance and intimacy, making it an essential resource for students, academics, and professionals interested in understanding the effects of social factors on familiar concepts and the pandemic's influence on the concept of love and intimacy.

Weight: 210g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367637033