By Joanne Esposito
Netflix’s Woman of the Hour takes us back to 1970s dating shows, where singles could meet potential partners in front of a television audience.
Based on a true story, the film follows actress Cheryl Bradshaw as she appears on The Dating Game in 1978, a reminder of how different dating once looked.
The format also reminded me of the TV show Perfect Match and made me wonder how much the dating game has really changed.
While the technology and presentation have evolved, the basic idea remains the same: strangers meet, attraction develops, and people decide whether to pursue a relationship.
Dating today comes with very different risks and opportunities. Online dating gives us access to thousands of potential matches, with profiles, photographs and social media offering more information before a first meeting.
British dating coach, New York Times best-selling author and speaker Matthew Hussey said: “More and more people are saying the same thing: they’re tired of the apps and want to meet someone in real life.”
Amanda Hamilton, who recently appeared on First Dates Australia, says the COVID-19 pandemic changed how many people approached dating.
“People really wanted that connection,” Hamilton said. “They wanted the mystery back.”
As restrictions lifted, she noticed more people looking for opportunities to meet face-to-face, particularly older singles who had experienced divorce and wanted to rebuild confidence and reconnect socially.
Hamilton hosts singles events, has written a manuscript on why people are single, and from years of research she’s seen changing dating and relationship patterns.
Her experience on First Dates also reinforced the importance of chemistry.
“You can’t do a questionnaire for chemistry,” Amanda said.
Profiles and algorithms can tell us plenty about someone, but they cannot guarantee a spark when two people finally meet.
Perhaps that is why, despite apps, algorithms and endless swiping, people are returning to something much older: conversation and connection.
The dating game may look completely different from the 1970s, but the reason people keep playing it remains remarkably familiar.
Dating has become easier technologically, but not necessarily easier emotionally.
“They’re all searching for love,” said Hamilton. “They haven’t given up on love.”
Featured image: Looking for love has changed with the rise of dating apps, but face-to-face connection remains an important part of modern dating. Photo: aliceabc0/CC/Pixabay
