The Pandemic Really Fucked With Polyamorous Love
IT’S (REALLY) COMPLICATED
Dating is tough for everyone these days. But juggling multiple relationships at once is next level.
A few years ago I started conducting interviews with over 100 people about their online dating experiences. I wanted to know how people presented themselves on their profiles, perceived other users on the platforms, and made decisions about whom to date.
My participants included single people trying to find “the one,” some simply looking to casually date and hook up, and others in polyamorous or open relationships who were seeking to expand their network of lovers.
Things were going well, with a steady stream of data coming in—right up until the pandemic hit. Lockdown upended the normal ebbs and flows of dating life.