12/02/2025
๐๐ง๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ : ๐๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Dating websites and apps have become increasingly popular worldwide, serving as platforms for both Millennials and seniors to connect. While some seek love, others are simply looking for entertainment. However, not everyone finds what they are looking for.
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐
Despite its growing popularity, online dating still carries a stigma. According to a ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ด ๐๐๐ข๐ฃ ๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐, one in four French people has registered on a dating site, yet many feel uncomfortable admitting it. A recent ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฑ๐ (๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฐ) revealed that 24% of French users on these platforms feel desperate, often hesitant to disclose that they met their partner online. Only 28% openly share where they met their significant other, while 48% believe dating apps are not suitable for serious relationships. The main reasons cited include:
- The short-lived nature of most relationships formed online.
- The social stigma and reluctance to reveal how they met.
- The perception of online dating as a superficial experience rather than a serious commitment.
๐๐ผ ๐ข๐ป๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐?
A 2016 study by the National Institute for Demographic Studies (INED) analyzed relationships formed between 2005 and 2013. Findings revealed that only 9% of couples and 10% of remarried individuals met through online platforms. Furthermore, 20% of these relationships were based on both love and physical attraction but tended to be short-lived.
The African Perspective: Online Dating in Cameroon
In Africa, and particularly in Cameroon, online dating has gained traction, with many seeking their "prince charming" through the internet. However, dating preferences vary:
Many Cameroonian users prefer international relationships, valuing connections with partners from abroad. These often lead to marriages and travel opportunities.
Local online interactions are viewed with less seriousness, as many users do not fully trust their Cameroonian counterparts.
Those who do engage in serious relationships rarely disclose that they met online, fearing judgment and prejudice.
While some find disappointment when their expectations are not met, others are completely satisfied and have no issue revealing how they met their partner.
๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐
Online dating is evolving, but societal perceptions still influence how people engage with it. While some relationships flourish, others face challenges due to stigma, fleeting connections, or mismatched expectations. Whether online dating is the future of relationships remains a debateโone shaped by cultural differences, personal preferences, and evolving digital trends.