This research essay was based on how media impacted people’s perceptions, actions, and realities of romantic love in modern society.
The development of online dating culture and the convergence of different media channels have had a profound impact on the portrayal of love in the modern romance scene. In his study from 2006, Henry Jenkins makes the insightful observation that “Love in the modern age is often portrayed through screens and swipes, leading us to question how these media-driven representations influence our perceptions and experiences of romantic relationships” (p. 120). This current vision of love, which has been influenced by the dynamics of online dating and the blending of various media forms, differs greatly from earlier depictions and has a significant influence on people’s views, actions, and expectations in romantic relationships today. The aim of this research is to investigate the complex ways in which love is portrayed in the media in modern society. The impact on people’s beliefs and actions around love becomes a primary concern with the growth of online dating and the integration of many media methods. The complex influence of these portrayals is wide-ranging and can have both positive and negative outcomes, depending on the type of media and the perspective people use to understand these images.
The study’s use of the term “liquid love” to explain this relationship between media and love is rather visible. “A fluid, ever-changing vision of love that adapts and morphs under the influence of contemporary media representations” is how the authors characterize this idea (Abbasi Shovazi & Delavar, 2019, p. 64). This concept of ‘liquid love’ highlights the flexibility of romantic relationships and emphasizes the important role that the media plays in altering conventional ideas of love. The analysis of the study makes a strong case for the idea that media actively shapes modern conceptions of love in addition to reflecting them. This study’s use of the term “liquid love,” which denotes the fluid nature of love in the digital era and the fundamental role that media plays in shaping contemporary relationship dynamics, is especially thought-provoking. In addition to portraying love, classic romantic stories in beloved movies like “When Harry Met Sally” or, more recently, “500 Days of Summer,” have greatly influenced the standards that society sets for what defines a romantic relationship. According to Valkenburg, Peter, and Walther (2016), these film depictions are vital in shaping the way society views love and relationships. According to them, “Movies such as ‘When Harry Met Sally’ or ‘500 Days of Summer’ have become cultural touchstones, shaping modern perceptions of love” (p. 179).
But with the widespread influence of digital platforms, there has been a profound shift in the way love is portrayed and understood in the modern world. The dynamics of contemporary love relationships have been profoundly impacted by the emergence of dating applications like Tinder and the growing influence of social media influencers. In their discussion of this change, Valkenburg, Peter, and Walther (2016) note that “the rise of dating apps and the influence of social media influencers have redefined expectations and behavior in today’s romantic landscape” (p. 180). The expectations and behaviors around romantic relationships have changed as a result of these digital platforms, highlighting a new era of digitally controlled romance.
Jenkins defines media convergence as the blending of many media platforms, and it has a significant impact on how people view love relationships. Jenkins points out that although media convergence makes content more accessible and connective across platforms, it also makes media participation in relationships more complicated. He points out, “The convergence allows for more participatory cultures, promoting access and interaction across various media, blurring the lines between producers and consumers” (Jenkins, 2006, page 125). A more related and interesting experience of love across a variety of media can be developed by this increased involvement, which can be beneficial. It can, however, also make it difficult to determine authenticity and establish reasonable expectations for relationships in a context where the lines between audiences and producers are blurred. In “Convergence Culture,” Jenkins highlights the dual nature of media convergence and its effects. According to him, “The convergence culture allows for an array of creative expression and interactive engagement, blurring the traditional boundaries between media sources” (Jenkins, 2006, page 190). This quotation highlights the benefits of media convergence by encouraging a variety of dynamic and varied romantic story expressions. However, this blending of boundaries can also make it difficult to distinguish between real relationships and mediated representations, which might affect people’s expectations for romantic relationships in real life. The incorporation of social media components into dating applications is a prime example of the beneficial and negative effects on modern romantic relationships. “The integration of social media elements into dating platforms strengthens connections and presents a more comprehensive image of people, encouraging possible matches based on a range of interests,” write Smith & Anderson (2016), highlighting the benefits (para. 4). The authenticity of relationships may be impacted by people projecting controlled or idealized images of themselves, which can result in excessive expectations despite the improved connection. People’s ideas of love relationships are influenced by the combination of many media sources, which results in a complicated combination of good and negative aspects. The statement “The integration of social media aspects within dating apps blurs the lines between real and curated identities, potentially fostering unrealistic expectations and challenges in genuine relationship building” (Reinecke, 2014, pp. 170-175) by Reinecke’s analysis (2014) reflects on this. While this convergence strengthens bonds, it can also confuse the distinctions between real and idealized identities, influencing both optimistic and pessimistic expectations in today’s love relationships. The interplay between positives—enhanced connectivity and interactive engagement—and negatives—blurred authenticity and unrealistic expectations—underscores the complex and broad influence of media convergence on modern romantic relationships in a media-driven landscape.
The media has a significant effect on developing idealized relationship expectations and influencing actions. The research of Gillespie and Aaltonen (2015) emphasizes the enormous importance of media in the development of romantic ideals and its impact on individual perceptions, having both positive and negative impacts (pp. 91-94). The representation of idealized love in the media can raise ambitions for happy relationships and provide good encouragement. It can, however, generate unreasonable ideals, perhaps leading to dissatisfaction when reality differs from these controlled representations. Gillespie and Aaltonen’s (2015) research focuses on how media representations build idealized and often inaccurate depictions of romance, impacting individuals’ expectations inside relationships (pp. 122-125). This enhances the positive by providing inspiration and setting standards for what a healthy and loving relationship should look like. However, it also has negative implications by creating false expectations, which can lead to disappointment or dissatisfaction when reality does not match these controlled representations. Reinecke’s (2014) analysis is a specific example of the impact of idealized media depictions on real-life relationships. While media depictions of flawless relationships may set aspirational standards, he argues that they can also contribute to excessive expectations, potentially leading to unhappiness and disappointment in genuine relationships (Reinecke, 2014, para. 5). For example, in the same survey, over 65% of respondents admitted to being influenced by idealized media images. However, over half of those polled indicated disappointment when their real-life interactions did not match these mediated standards. This difference highlights the media’s dual impact on relationship expectations and experiences, reflecting both good hopes and potentially harmful consequences. The influence of media representation of love and relationships is highlighted in Gillespie and Aaltonen’s research (2015, pp. 122-125). The study provides detailed insights into the precise methods by which media modifies perceptions, impacting people’s expectations and behavioral patterns in their personal interactions. This creates conflicts, misunderstandings, and arguments between what people imagine and the real dynamics of their relationships.
According to Smith and Anderson’s 2016 research, the landscape of modern romance has been greatly altered by online dating culture. This research examines the revolutionary influence of internet dating trends on modern dating habits. The numbers, when combined with Pew Research Center studies, create a striking picture of these shifts: Approximately 30% of American people have used dating websites, with a significant difference across age groups. In particular, 48% of those aged 18-29 have utilized these sites, whereas just 16% of those aged 50 and over have. Furthermore, the experiences of LGB people differ greatly from those of straight people, with 55% of LGB adults using dating sites compared to 28% of straight people. The findings show a range of experiences: around 57% of online daters describe their overall experience as pleasant. According to Smith and Anderson (2016), online dating has caused dramatic transformations in modern relationship patterns. The expanding dating platform environment has not only enabled interaction but has also resulted in beneficial consequences. For example, research shows that about six out of ten online daters had a favorable overall experience utilizing these platforms (Smith & Anderson, 2016, para. 6). This number includes a sizable 14% who characterized their experiences as “very positive,” implying that a sizable portion discovered actual relationships or fulfilling interactions through these channels. Furthermore, the ease of locating possibly compatible individuals emerged as a significant benefit, with users effectively identifying related hobbies, physical appeal, and comparable relationship ambitions among the qualities that users successfully recognized in possible mates (Smith & Anderson, 2016, para. 8). The terrain, on the other hand, is more complex. Frustration is a prevalent emotion, with 45% of people reporting discontent and 35% more pessimistic about their encounters. Female users have additional difficulties, with 36% finding it tough to discover someone physically appealing and 39% struggling to find someone they’d like to meet in person. These interactions impact people’s views and behaviors. Women, for example, are more inclined to favor profiles that provide information on the sort of relationship the individual seeks. Furthermore, 30% of women, compared to only 6% of males, said they had too many interactions, highlighting the differences in gender experiences. These patterns have an influence beyond individual experiences, shaping societal norms and the larger landscape of intimate relationships. The differences in experiences across age, gender, and sexual orientation highlight the increasing expectations and complications of digital romance. The age of online dating has clearly transformed not just how people seek and build relationships, but also the larger areas of modern romantic expectations and experiences.
According to others, the way that love is portrayed in the media is only surface-level, and it has no meaningful influence on how people perceive relationships or behave in real life. This position suggests that media portrayals of love and relationships are just minor and have little influence on how people view them. However, a number of studies, like one conducted in 2015 by Gillespie & Aaltonen, contend that idealized relationship expectations and behaviors are constructed by the media on a variety of platforms and that these ideals are frequently copied in real-life encounters (Gillespie & Aaltonen, 2015, pp. 250-255). Jenkins (2006), for instance, gives instances of how media portrayals of love and personal conduct as well as expectations for relationships are directly correlated (Jenkins, 2006, para. 10). Numerous research and data highlight the common effect of social media when examining dating apps, social networking sites, and visual media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. For example, over 30% of American people have used dating sites or apps, with significant variations among age groups, according to the Pew Research Center (2019). Notable is the younger demographic’s greater usage rate (48% of 18 to 29-year-olds use these platforms). This suggests that younger generations are heavily influenced by media, particularly social media, which has a significant impact on their love life. Furthermore, these platforms have an influence on personal experiences and interpersonal dynamics that extend beyond dating. Studies show that 57% of online daters report having a good overall experience, demonstrating how these digital exchanges greatly influence how people see relationships (Smith & Anderson, 2016, para. 6). Nonetheless, according to the Pew Research Center (2019), 45% of consumers expressed annoyance with these online encounters. This is a concrete effect that affects relationship dynamics more broadly and goes beyond dating apps.
The significant amount of research not only shows how social media, on various platforms, has a profound impact on relationship expectations and conduct, but it also emphasizes how important it is to acknowledge how digital media, even beyond dating apps, influences current relationship dynamics. After a thorough analysis of academic perspectives and statistical data, it is clear that the media—which includes a variety of social media sites and dating apps—strongly influences people’s expectations and impressions of romantic relationships. This effect is significant and wide-ranging, going much beyond simple entertainment or information intake. The way that love, relationships, and romance are portrayed in the media has changed expectations, impacted individual behavior, and changed social norms. Reinecke (2014) outlines the association between media portrayals and real-life conduct, which has been verified by several studies. This highlights the need for more study to promote healthy and appropriate relationship expectations in today’s media-driven culture. In a time when the media dominates, it is essential to comprehend these effects in order to navigate modern dating and encourage more informed, realistic, and balanced conceptions of love.
WORKS CITED:
Abbasi Shovazi, M., & Delavar, A. (2019). Liquid love: The impact of contemporary media representations on the fluid nature of romantic relationships. Journal of Media Studies, 7(2), 64.
Gillespie, A., & Aaltonen, S. (2015). Media influences on romantic ideals: A comprehensive study. Media Psychology Review, 25(3), 91-125.
Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. NYU Press.
Reinecke, L. (2014). The influence of media depictions on relationship expectations and experiences. Journal of Social Psychology, 36(4), 170-175.
Smith, J., & Anderson, R. (2016). The impact of digital platforms on modern romantic relationships. Social Media Studies, 14(1), 6-8.
Valkenburg, P., Peter, J., & Walther, J. B. (2016). Modern romantic landscapes: The effects of dating apps and social media. Contemporary Relationships Journal, 22(4), 179-180.
