The good news first: 50 percent of all singles don’t attach so much importance to appearance when dating. This was the result of a representative survey by the Elitepartner dating portal. In 2022, the company surveyed 2,380 singles on topics such as self-love, body positivity or body anxiety (the fear that one’s own body could lead to negative reactions in others). Despite so many participants saying that looks are not important to them, the study also found that 45 percent of respondents question themselves on a date as to whether they are attractive enough.
Particularly attractive people also experience some disadvantages when dating. Because some associate beauty with a high number of sex partners or the desire to just want to get a person into bed. So much for the inner values. In addition, a third of those surveyed are simply intimidated when the other person is perceived as very beautiful. The result: Insecure people doubt their appearance even more.
The question of one’s own appearance concerns women in particular when getting to know each other during sex. Almost 38 percent wonder if they look good during sex. For men it is only 25 percent. When it comes to dating, too, women tend to be less satisfied with their own appearance. For example, 28 percent have canceled a date because they were plagued by self-doubt about their appearance. For men it is only 21 percent.
It is also interesting how much the image and, above all, filter-heavy world of social media affects our lives. A fifth of all participants would resort to optical changes through Botox or hyaluronic injections as well as hair transplants or have already done so. And some already visualize their potential partner in their minds on pictures for Instagram and consider whether they are a good match. During the date, one in four explores how the other person would appear to friends and family and whether their attractiveness would make an impression.
The psychologist of the dating portal, Lisa Fischbach, comes to the conclusion that many people have a “feeling of insecurity in relation to their own body and the effect on others”. This can have an enormous impact on many areas of our lives, according to Fischbach: “This can have massive consequences for personal development, promoting withdrawal behavior and avoidance of dates. Reasons can be found in ideals of beauty that are fueled by (social) media and thus set standards : in the perception and thought patterns of what is attractive.” In addition, a permanent culture of evaluation has established itself, which often deals intolerantly with being different and often leads to injuries.
Source: ElitePartner study
also read
How relationship problems affect our mental health
Aminata Belli: “One in three women suffers from violence in a relationship”
Politicians need to wake up: we talk about dark parks, but women’s homes are the most dangerous
