A total of 6770 adults are participating in the study.
romance gap
A romance what…? The romance gap is a new term that is recognizable to many. These are the moments when you ask yourself whether sending that app makes you seem too enthusiastic or whether you are waiting for the other person to take the lead.
Although 88 percent of the Dutch state that they find equality important when dating or in a relationship, we quickly fall into traditional gender roles when it comes to romance.
Take charge and appear eager
For example, 52 percent of those surveyed say they expect men to take the lead, compared to 8 percent of women. 1 in 4 men feel pressured by this. Women, on the other hand, run into the fact that they should not appear ‘too eager’.
44 percent of those surveyed state that women are not expected to appear too eager, clingy, attached or desperate. 47 percent of women say they worry about this when dating or in relationships.
Longing for change
In addition, it appears that 1 in 3 women changes their behaviour. They do this to make the other feel more powerful or more comfortable. A lot of differences and expectations, but there is a desire for change.
People are convinced that in an ideal world, we wouldn’t have expectations about who makes more money (56 percent), has a more successful career (52 percent) or who takes the first step by initiating a date (39 percent).
Narrowing the romance gap
Now we hear you thinking: but what exactly is so bad about this? Enough. The research shows that the romance gap makes us less true to ourselves. According to Bumble’s vice president Naomi Walkland, we can narrow the romance gap by recognizing that he exists. “Only when we are aware of it can we challenge each other to end gendered expectations about who should do what.”
Source: bumble