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Examining the Evolution of College Dating: Insights from Recent Studies

In contemporary discourse, a recurring narrative from singles reflects discontent with the dating landscape, often characterizing it as “broken.” This sentiment is attributed to factors such as social isolation exacerbated by technology, pandemic-induced lockdowns, and heightened expectations from potential partners.

However, research conducted over the past decade reveals that college students’ perceptions of romantic relationships may not align with these sentiments. Brian Ogolsky, a professor specializing in human development and family studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, led a comparative study examining students’ views on dating from 2012 to early 2022, which suggested a remarkable continuity in their beliefs.

“Despite significant cultural changes, college students in our study did not share the perception that dating is fundamentally flawed,” Ogolsky noted. “Their views on relationships today are quite similar to those held a decade ago. What has changed is the diversity of pathways young adults are exploring in their romantic lives and the wider array of potential outcomes.”

In both studies, Ogolsky gathered insights from participants aged 18 to 29 about their experiences and thoughts on how romantic relationships typically initiate and evolve. Published in the journal Personal Relationships, the research included contributions from Jennifer L. Hardesty, Kiersten Dobson, and graduate students from the University of Illinois.

Over 250 students participated, with around half reporting they were in romantic partnerships at the time of the surveys. The researchers discerned four primary stages in romantic development based on the students’ feedback.

The first stage, dubbed “flirtationship,” encompasses the initial phases of attraction, which can occur through online interactions or face-to-face encounters. This stage is characterized by flirtation and the exploration of shared interests, igniting a potential romantic spark.

If mutual interest is established, the relationship transitions into the second stage—assessing “relationship potential.” Participants noted that this stage involves spending more time together and engaging in open communication to evaluate the future of their connection. Friendship was frequently cited as a pivotal element of these romantic partnerships, with many students emphasizing this during their discussions.

“Our findings indicate that young adults distinguish between dating and being in a committed relationship,” Ogolsky explained. “While we referred to the activities as ‘relationship development,’ participants did not view early interactions as part of an official relationship. Instead, they saw flirting and dating as components of a broader interpersonal dynamic that may or may not culminate in a formal relationship.”

If romance progresses, partners may reach the third stage, which involves defining their relationship. This designation often includes labeling their status as “official” and recognizing one another as significant others. A notable development observed between the two studies was the increased discussion of sexual intimacy in the context of relationship definition, with the majority of both cohorts suggesting an expectation of exclusivity in committed relationships.

While much research has concentrated on hookup culture, characterized by casual, commitment-free sexual encounters, only a small number referenced this in the recent study. The researchers posited that students might use the term to describe sexual interactions occurring within the confines of defined relationships.

Ogolsky identified a crucial divergence in the participants’ views regarding commitment progression. Students in the earlier study often regarded engagement as a normative expectation following the establishment of an official relationship. In contrast, those surveyed in 2022 articulated a more varied approach, often discussing commitment in terms of cohabitation rather than traditional engagement.

Additionally, the method of integrating romantic partners into social circles illustrated a nuanced shift. Participants from 2012 primarily focused on introducing partners to family, whereas more recent respondents identified the importance of including partners within broader social networks encompassing friends and family alike.

The final stage, termed “commitment or bust,” marks a pivotal juncture where partners must either decide to marry, pursue another form of long-term commitment, or part ways. This decision-making phase underscores the evolving nature of romantic relationships among young adults.

Interestingly, despite the anticipated impact of social media and dating applications on relationship dynamics over the past decade, these tools did not hold the central focus that some might have assumed. “When discussing their perceptions of relationships, participants did not emphasize technology,” Ogolsky observed. “They approached relationships from a broader conceptual framework, indicating that dating apps or new technologies did not dominate their understanding of interpersonal connections.”

The research was supported by a HATCH grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, underscoring the academic interest in the evolving nature of young adult romantic partnerships.

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