Extramarital dating apps help users take care of their emotional needs: Study

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The dynamics of relationships have undergone substantial changes in the fast-paced, globally connected world of today. An intricate discussion regarding the effects of extramarital dating apps on people and their emotional well-being has been triggered by their introduction. This intriguing subject raises crucial concerns about the validity of these platforms' ability to help people prioritise their emotional needs amidst the complexity of contemporary relationships.

Gleeden, a discreet extramarital dating app in India, commissioned a thorough study from IPSOS, a global market research specialist, in February 2023 to analyse the online dating behaviours of Indians experiencing a midlife crisis.

In Tier 1 and Tier 2 Indian cities - Bangalore, Kochi, Hyderabad, Delhi, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Kolkata, Patna, Ahmedabad, Indore, Jaipur and Guwahati - 1,500 persons were surveyed for the study. The survey found that a significant percentage of Indians do not feel fully satisfied in their marriages and that one of the major causes of adultery was emotional distance.

"Gleeden has become increasingly popular in the last six years providing a platform for people who are looking for affairs or emotional connections outside of their committed relationships. The rise in the app's usage can be attributed to factors, such as the convenience of finding partners and the evolving nature of modern relationships," says Sybil Shiddell, country manager, Gleeden, India.

Relationships with emotional neglect
33 per cent of responders claim not feeling completely happy in their relationship, whereas 6 per cent declare to be as much as emotionally estranged from their spouse. Also, 41 per cent declare feeling sexually dissatisfied which is also the reason why they often fancy being with someone else (55 per cent). A sense of emotional neglect in their relationships is one of the main reasons people use extramarital dating apps. The initial chemistry of love and closeness in long-term partnerships might wane over time. In their marriages, people may feel lonely, underappreciated or emotionally detached. In fact, 33 per cent of those who engaged in an extramarital relationship have done it because they felt emotionally estranged from their partners.

Willingness to explore more
People are inherently curious in nature and frequently want novelty and variation in their lives. Extramarital dating apps, according to some, give people the opportunity to experiment with new facets of their sexuality or emotional desires without severing their existing partnerships. The survey found that 34 per cent of those who choose to engage in extramarital affairs aren't always driven just by sexual encounters or marital dissatisfaction. Unexpectedly, 34 per cent of men and 35 per cent of women claim to have found happiness somewhere else.

Privacy
Traditional techniques of looking for extramarital affairs do not provide the same level of privacy and discretion as extramarital dating apps do. People who might ordinarily avoid making emotional connections out of fear of being exposed or judged may be encouraged to do so by this sense of safety. The convenience and anonymity that these platforms offer are appreciated by people from Tier 2 cities, where infidelity has surged.

Although they are controversial, extramarital dating apps might in fact assist people in prioritising their emotional needs in certain situations. For people who feel emotionally abandoned or who want diversity in their lives while still being in a committed relationship, these platforms provide a covert and accessible option. They can help people discover themselves and grow personally by letting them explore their emotional impulses.

"The privacy and discretion offered by these applications can enable users to take care of their emotional needs without immediately endangering their core relationships. Some people might learn important things about their own desires and get a deeper understanding of the complexity of their emotional environment by using extramarital dating apps," concludes Shiddell

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