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Newsweek
7 days ago
- General
- Newsweek
One Type of Dating Leads to 'Less Stable and Satisfying' Marriages
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. How you meet your partner could predict how happy you'll be in your future marriage—and it's bad news for online daters. A study compared the marriages of those who met online with those who met organically, and found that those who met online reported less satisfying and less stable marriages than those who were introduced to one another offline. The study involved 923 married couples in the United States, around half of whom met their spouse online. However, those who met online were also often dealing with external pressures, such as societal marginalization—fears their relationship or the way in which they met would not have wide societal acceptance. Those chosen for the study matched the U.S. Census Bureau on age, race and gender,with those who met online using apps and sites including eHarmony, Grindr, Match and Tinder. Those who had met in person were introduced by friends, family or neighbors, through work or church, in college or school, or in bars or other public venues such as the gym. Researchers found that married couples who had met online were younger and were more recently married than those who did not, and had also dated more people prior to getting married. They were also more likely to be in a same-sex marriage. The researchers found that those who had met online had lower rates of satisfaction and stability in their marriage, indicating lower-quality marriages than those who had met in person. The researchers noted, however, that their ratings were still above the midpoint for satisfaction and stability, meaning online daters still had an overall high-quality marriage. Stock image of a woman smiling while using her cell phone. Stock image of a woman smiling while using her cell phone. CarlosIn 1995, just 2 percent of couples met online, shooting up to 39 percent by 2017, according to data from Statista. Marriages of people who met online tend to be younger couples who were married more recently, researchers found. And, due to the much larger dating pool offered by online dating, may be more experienced in dating before settling down with a spouse than those who did not meet online. Marriages formed from online dating may also be more racially and sexually diverse, with researchers citing a previous study which noted online dating is almost twice as popular among lesbian, gay and bisexual couples compared to heterosexual couples. Online dating disrupted the traditional dating scene, including allowing people to meet despite not being local, and friends and family not meeting the partner and having opinions on them until the relationship has been established, researchers suggested. Not being physically close to the potential partner may make people compensate by becoming more emotionally intimate, and they may feel more open to sharing their true selves from behind the protection of a screen, with this early disclosure leading researchers to anticipate a strong foundation for marriage. While online dating began with matching people more scientifically, using search tools to find people with their hobbies and things in common, they stated that this has changed to a rise of algorithms in dating apps like Tinder which study swiping patterns. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about relationships? Let us know via science@ Reference Sharabi, L. L., & Dorrance-Hall, E. (2024). The online dating effect: Where a couple meets predicts the quality of their marriage. Computers in Human Behavior, 150, 107973.
WebMD
16-06-2025
- General
- WebMD
Can Your Relationship Pass the Gas Test?
June 12, 2025 – Some say passing gas in front of your partner is a sign of a healthy relationship. But does that notion pass the smell test? Experts say yes. But what really matters is a shared understanding between partners about how to handle these inevitable – and sometimes awkward – moments. "For one person, it might just be a normal human experience; and for another, it might be insulting and rude," said William Schroeder, LPC, a co-owner and counselor at Just Mind Counseling. "It could be seen as someone not having boundaries – or it could be seen as erotic." As a therapist, he said, "I don't think any response is correct or incorrect, but it can help to make sure you are on the same page." Some of this depends on gender and generation. While the flatulence field isn't quite as well-researched as, say, heart disease or cancer, surveys suggest that the younger crowd may be more comfortable with this particular aspect of intimacy. One survey by online media company MIC found that 3 out of 4 people in their 20s and 30s regularly broke the "fart barrier" within the first year of dating. And an eHarmony survey of about 1,000 Australians found the average Aussie waited six months to pass gas in front of their partner – three months longer than it took to declare "I love you." Even then, those under the age of 24 were more likely than older respondents to break wind in the first three months of a relationship. "I've talked about this in one-on-one conversations personally and professionally, and I found that at some point or another, people feared how they would burp and fart in front of each other," said Michelle Mouhtis, LCSW, who focuses on dating and relationships in her counseling business, That Millennial Therapist. Boomer women were taught farting wasn't acceptable or "ladylike" and may have passed some of these ideas to their children, especially their daughters, she said. "That could be why in most heterosexual relationships, men tend to break the ice first, since these pressures weren't passed to them." That's what Mouhtis expected in her own relationship. When she started dating her now-husband, she wanted him to cross that milestone first. When she asked, he admitted belching and passing gas grossed him out. After moving in together, Mouhtis discovered growing resentment and a mounting reliance on Gas-X. After talking to friends and considering her actions, Mouhtis realized that not flatulating in front of her partner was a bellwether. "I was actually holding back from him in other ways," she said. Is Passing Gas in Front of a Partner a True Test of a Healthy Relationship? While Mouhtis pegged her own avoidance to deeper issues, that's not always the case. People's reactions to passing gas – and the reasons behind them – can vary widely, depending on how they were socialized. "For some, it's a sign of intimacy and ease – like you've moved from performance mode to true connection. For others, it might break the fantasy or signal a drop in romantic effort," said Jeff Guenther, LPC, who creates content under the handle @therapyjeff and hosts a podcast called Problem Solved. "Neither is right or wrong, but how each partner feels about it is important. The key is shared meaning, not shared gas." Finding that shared meaning can be hard when couples are sharply divided. "People don't just have an opinion – they have an identity," Guenther said. For some, "it can be seen as a lack of respect or even a value system difference," said Schroeder. For others, particularly long-term couples, "I have seen it come up as an issue on the periphery – like how someone won't leave the room or go to the bathroom and instead farts in front of them and it frustrates their partner," Schroeder said. "Most often it's [more] a metaphor for the relationship than it is the actual issue." The meaning for you may be worth considering. "Are you holding back from your partner in other aspects of your relationship – like sharing what's bothering you?" Mouhtis said. "Is there a fear if you're fully yourself, you won't be accepted for who you are? Or are you afraid of criticism or rejection from your partner?" How you were raised to deal with bodily functions can have a big impact too. Different cultures treat passing gas differently, Schroeder said. Many put added restrictions on women. Talking about it can help. "Opening a dialogue about how it was treated in your own family of origin can actually lead to deeper understanding and empathy in your relationship – ultimately bringing you closer," Mouhtis said. Talking to Your Partner About Gas Most people don't have a direct conversation about flatulence and boundaries, therapists said. Instead, they deal with the fallout after one slips out. "If one partner breaks the ice and farts first, and treats it with humor, it gives the other partner permission to do the same," Mouhtis said. One approach to the subject: Take a 15-minute post-dinner "fart walk." The "fart walk" became a 2024 online trend when influencer and cookbook author Mairlyn Smith promoted it as a healthy way to prevent bloating. Smith's cheeky "#fartwalk" is backed by science. Several studies show that a short post-dinner walk helps lower blood sugar for people with diabetes. A 2021 study showed walking after eating helped ease symptoms of bloating. "It's kind of the perfect setting to casually bring up bodily stuff without it feeling like a big deal," Guenther said. "Way less awkward than trying to have a fart talk while maintaining eye contact on the couch." Bloating – that feeling of fullness or pressure in the belly area because of gas in the intestines – is common. A 2023 survey of more than 88,000 Americans found that 1 in 7 dealt with bloating in a week, with women and those with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and Crohn's disease most likely to have symptoms. People dealing with such chronic conditions might find it necessary to talk about uncomfortable body issues earlier in relationships than others. "For folks with GI issues, chronic conditions, or disabilities – talking about it early is not just practical, it's a sign of emotional maturity," Guenther said. You could propose a "fart pact" with your partner, he said. "I'd describe it as a mutual agreement that we're doing this now – as in, farting in front of each other. We're not pretending we don't fart anymore." This type of conversation, whether about flatulence or other bodily issues, is natural and important in long-term relationships, Schroeder said. "Bodily experiences are a huge part of life, and sometimes that's around illness, caregiving, and respect for those we love," he said. "Humor and empathy are such important parts of human connection, and it helps to have hard discussions so we can find the balance we need in relationships." Studies on Flatulence Aging can change how often you pass gas. Though the term "old fart" is well known, a study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology showed flatulence notably decreased with age. The analysis of 16,000 Americans self-reporting various digestive symptoms showed younger people (ages 18 to 24) passed gas more often than older people (ages 45 to 64, and older). The report's authors theorize this could have to do with younger people eating more fermentable carbohydrates, moving more, and taking fewer medications that are known to slow intestinal movement. Though less gas might be seen as a sign of health, some recent animal studies showed exposure to hydrogen sulfide, the chemical that makes gas smell, aided various body cells. Scientists tested artificial hydrogen sulfide and found the gas could potentially help people who get liver transplants and widen blood vessels. While further research into hydrogen sulfide's effect on human cells is needed, there's no need to hide from a partner's smelly gas or blame yours on the dog. Guenther said he's seeing a change with younger generations embracing acceptance. "That dynamic seems to be shifting with Millennials and Gen Z, who are generally more body-positive and down to destigmatize stuff like this," he said. Whichever side you land on, the health of the relationship comes down to open communication and understanding.
Newsweek
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Gen Z More Concerned About Political Differences in Dating Than Millennials
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Gen Z really prioritizes a certain compatibility factor when it comes to dating, a new study has revealed. The generation born between 1997 and 2012 stands apart from older generations in the dating landscape, exhibiting a higher concern for political alignment in potential partners, according to a study from eHarmony. This shift suggests that for many young adults, political views are not a preference, but a fundamental compatibility factor. Newsweek spoke to clinical psychologist Dr. Hannah Holmes about the findings and how she sees them reflected in her own practice. Stock photo: A couple watches a news broadcast together. Stock photo: A couple watches a news broadcast together. gorodenkoff/Getty Images The study, which surveyed 500 people "open to dating," explored main dealbreakers in dating across the U.S. and found that "28 percent of Gen Z said having different political views could lead them to turn down a date," compared to 21 percent of millennials and 21 percent of Gen X. This notable difference highlights a generational divide in what is considered a "dealbreaker" in romantic relationships. Holmes shed light on why Gen Z might be more sensitive to political alignment. "Gen Z grew up hearing stories about couples—or even seeing their own parents or family members—separating due to differences in political and social beliefs," she said. "Many of them see it as a serious sign of lack of compatibility, rather than a minor difference in opinion." This trend, Holmes suggested, comes down to the integration of politics and core values and beliefs for the younger generation. "Politics aren't just abstract concepts for many Gen Z-ers, but instead ways of understanding reality, with real-world consequences," she said. "Understandably, this means that a misalignment in politics is understood as a misalignment of core values, which is typically considered a relationship dealbreaker." Other Dealbreakers in Dating Beyond politics, the eHarmony study also uncovered other generational differences in dating priorities. Millennials and Gen X appear less willing to relocate to find love compared to Gen Z—19 percent of both millennials and Gen X said they are not willing to relocate anywhere for love, compared to 12 percent of Gen Z. Furthermore, Gen Z have a higher preference to date within their social circle compared to millennials. Regarding the importance of political compatibility in long-term relationship satisfaction, Holmes noted scientific research to support that political compatibility leads to more satisfaction in relationships. However, she emphasized that "political agreement is not the final word on compatibility, and with good communication and mutual respect, there are couples with differing political views who can have happy and satisfying relationships." For those who discover political differences early on with someone they like, Holmes advised caution rather than an immediate dismissal. "Generally, if a person meets someone great who is politically different from them, I would recommend proceeding with caution instead of immediately jumping ship," she said. Key considerations include "what are the specific disagreements? Do they fundamentally misalign with your view of the world and morality, or are they minor differences of opinion?" Holmes added. "Whether or not they respect your views and communicate maturely about political topics is...[a] crucial consideration for whether they'll ultimately make a good romantic match."
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Australia: Watchdog takes dating site to court
Australia correspondent Chris Niesche looks at why the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has taken e-Harmony to court over subscription traps. He'll also detail comments by Australia's defence chief about the country's preparedness for war and look at reaction to former PM Scott Morrison's King's Birthday Honour. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
The Guardian
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
After hundreds of complaints, eHarmony's auto renewal subscription case begins in Australian federal court
People looking for love who thought they were signing up for a limited subscription to eHarmony's dating website were charged hundreds of dollars in renewals they claim they didn't know they were agreeing to – and some were chased by debt collectors, the Australian federal court has heard. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is suing the US-based eHarmony for misleading and deceptive conduct over claims of providing free dating on its platform, and the information consumers were given on subscription costs and renewal terms when buying a premium subscription. The ACCC said in 2023 it had received hundreds of complaints from consumers about eHarmony and its memberships. At Monday's opening of the case in the federal court, the counsel for the competition watchdog, Dr Oren Bigos, told the court the ACCC would rely on six confidential consumer affidavits as evidence that people were being misled by the pricing and the automatic subscription renewals. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email One consumer signed up for six months, and in February 2023, her subscription was renewed for nearly $480 for 12 months. Bigos said the consumer wasn't aware of the renewal until seeing the credit card charge, which she thought was an error. She subsequently received notices from debt collectors for eHarmony. A second customer found he owed nearly $600 for a 12-month renewed membership, with a third customer who ditched eHarmony finding he owed $358 after his six-month membership was renewed for 12 months. The ACCC has alleged that eHarmony had given consumers the understanding or impression that the length of their subscription at the point of sign-up was the extent of the time they would be subscribed for – without any renewal included. eHarmony has argued that at the point of subscription, consumers are warned of the renewal, and that renewal information is contained in the terms and conditions of the site. The terms and conditions state customers will be alerted prior to the renewal to give people time to cancel. Michael Hodge, eHarmony's counsel argued there was a disconnect between the evidence from consumers the ACCC relied on, and the pages from eHarmony's website that the ACCC has alleged misled consumers. Hodge argued that users spent three and a half minutes on the second subscription page. This, he said, indicated they were likely reading the contents of the page and the terms – and not just entering their credit card details. Hodge pointed out the text advising about automatic renewal is placed directly above the subscribe button on the page, and the court must consider whether the ordinary consumer would read that. He said eHarmony's evidence showed four out of five first-time subscribers to eHarmony turn off automatic renewal, which he said can infer that it's something consumers would have read on subscribing. The ACCC alleges that users who had signed up to what had been presented as a free dating site could do very little on the site on the free tier. After going through an 80-question compatibility quiz and entering in their personal details, they would discover it was a 'very limited service, with a very limited ability to interact with other members,' Bigos said. Other members' photos are blurred, and between November 2019 and June 2023, basic users could only receive one message, and only send one message, one emoji, and one image-based ice-breaker prompt. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'Dating is only possible when one upgrades to a paid premium membership,' Bigos said. eHarmony argued that the pages where free dating was represented in their entirety do not convey the misrepresentation that the ACCC alleges. Bigos said users were hooked into continuing to use the platform after investing time setting up their profile. The ACCC took the court through the sign-up process. It alleges customers were not given the full payment charge of the plans they were signing up to at the point of purchase. Plans of between six months and two years charged in monthly instalments would incur an extra fee in some cases if the user did not pay the total amount upfront. This additional charge information was displayed when a user would hover their mouse over the plan. The ACCC argued the 'from $x' listing is not sufficient, and users could not calculate the price until further along in the subscription process. The regulator has also argued that eHarmony represented that users could cancel their account if they have second thoughts, but it was misleading because consumers could not get refunds for unused amounts. Both parties agreed eHarmony did not refund users for cancelled subscriptions. The case is expected to run until Friday.
