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Long-Term Love: Your Perfect Mate

Author: www.suavelover.com
Published: 8th Jan 2016 - Updated: 9th Feb 2016
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: Love and Romance Publications

Summary: The majority of men and women want to be in exclusive relationships that lead to marriage.


Main Document

Society's outlook on dating and relationships and especially communication with partners, may be keeping people from knowing what they have and getting what they want from relationships, according to a new study conducted by Suave Lover, a Chicago-based international dating and relationship consultancy.

The majority of men and women want to be in exclusive relationships that lead to marriage, according to the August 2015 survey, Your View on Relationships, of 284 people, ages 18 to 45 (99 male, 182 female), throughout the United States. Despite the shared consensus, feelings of discouragement and disappointment appear prevalent when it comes to trying to find a serious relationship.

93% of men and women stated that their ideal relationship in the next five years would be exclusive, dating or marriage, and 77% stated it would be their ideal relationship now.

73% of men and women are also, always or most of the time, dating with the goal of finding an exclusive relationship.

The relationship mentality of men and women is similarly oriented towards exclusive relationships, but 67% of men and women both stated that they don't believe that other people were seeking exclusive relationships. Overall, 70% of women and 50% of men stated they had a negative outlook on dating.

Benjamin Ritter of Suave Lover states, "The survey results showed that men and women want to be in an exclusive relationship, but also have an overall negative outlook and misperception on dating and relationships."

Ritter has found that the gender differences between the negative perspectives on dating may partially derive from a lack of communication, not just between partners, but literally the way the sexes express themselves. A more in depth look at the way men and women define the seriousness of a new relationship revealed the potential root of this communication issue.

67% of men surveyed defined their initial relationships as open, friends with benefits, or one night stands.

Only 48% of women referred to their initial relationships at this stage and definition. There were no significant differences however in the types of relationships experienced long-term by both sexes.

The survey results revealed that the differences in the way men and women define initial relationship status may be what is leading to disappointment. One partner believes they are in a more serious relationship while the other does not.

The majority of respondents, men and women, stated they desired and were seeking an exclusive relationship, just not all the time. Gender differences in responses and negativity only surfaced when they were asked to view relationships in the initial stages. "This implies that the differences in defining status in new relationships may be what lead to disappointment. Without both partners being on the same page, this does not eventually work itself out," notes Ritter. "Analysis of the survey data shows dating and relationships could be improved by a clearer definition of expectations and communication overall. To find what you are looking for in a relationship, it's important to figure out what you and your partner are looking for in your relationship at its current stage and if that is possible together."

Suave Lover aims to provide various resources to guide men and women through a confusing social and sexual culture, while advocating for broader social and relationship research and education.

Further information on the study Your View on Relationships: http://www.ischivalrydead.org/your-view-on-relationships/

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• (APA): www.suavelover.com. (2016, January 8). Long-Term Love: Your Perfect Mate. SexualDiversity.org. Retrieved October 4, 2024 from www.sexualdiversity.org/sexuality/love/619.php


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