Breathe
By Marcela Millán, Senior Manager Bumble Latin America.
A few weeks ago I was talking to a friend about the first date she had with a girl she met on Bumble. She told me that everything was going well. Normal, but fine. He decided not to see her again when she told him she wouldn't vote. This person simply wasn't interested in politics and, for my friend, that was reason enough not to go on a second date. "I don't care who she votes for, but her not voting, in the current context, is unacceptable to me," was what she told me. It was clear to me that for my friend this was a fundamental value when looking for a partner.
I wasn't surprised. One of the trends in the dating world this year that we at Bumble spotted is what we call Us=Our Causes. Globally, more and more people are looking for matches with people who not only share social causes, but who are actively committed to them. Mexico is no exception and voting is very important for a representative part of the country. Survey data[1] conducted last year revealed that for 42% of Mexicans on Bumble, it is important for their potential partner to get involved in political issues and vote.
That went against a teaching, at least of my generation, which dictated that it was in "very bad taste to discuss religion and politics" (read with the tone of someone out of the Carreño Manual) in social situations, including a date. Clearly today's reality is very different. Now politics is talked about openly in almost every space and, we may or may not agree or disagree on our ideas, but the conversation is present with friends and family. Was this true for potential partners as well? To delve deeper into the role of politics in dating and how it influenced when looking for a potential partner, Bumble commissioned a survey[2] of Mexicans between the ages of 18 and 43.
We discovered that just like my friend, political opinions have an impact on dating. Even voting could make us more attractive to our match, according to responses from 40% of Generation Z respondents and 51% of Millennials. In addition, nearly a quarter of respondents expressed being more likely to connect with someone on a dating app if their profile showed political leanings. This reinforces how transparency is appreciated by many people when looking for an authentic connection.
Perhaps one of the data I find most encouraging is that while over half of Mexicans (56%) believe that the discussion about politics has become too polarized, for the majority on love issues, the important thing is not to be on the same page completely, but to be able to have healthy dialogue and conversations. In fact, more than half (54%) of Mexicans surveyed are open to dating someone who votes differently than them, 48% note that being open-minded on key political issues is their number one green flag and for 39%, it is important to respectfully discuss political opinions on the first date.
Reflecting on how political views impact dating, it is clear that these topics are no longer taboo in the romantic arena. Current trends show that, for many, sharing political values and commitments is as important as compatibility in other aspects of life.
This cultural shift highlights the importance of transparency and respect in modern relationships. I have to confess that the most heated conversations I have had with my partner have been about politics, and while discussing these topics can be challenging, it also offers an invaluable opportunity to strengthen understanding and connection between couples. In an increasingly polarized world, finding common ground and fostering healthy dialogue not only enriches our personal relationships, but also contributes to a more tolerant and understanding social environment.
So, the next time you find yourself on a date, don't be afraid to broach those topics. You may find that meaningful conversation is the first step toward a deeper, more authentic connection. After all, love and politics have something in common: they both require compromise, dialogue and a willingness to understand and value each other's perspectives.
References:
[1] The research was conducted by Bumble using internal surveys between September 21 and 26, 2023 with a sample of 26,849 Bumble members around the world, including 1,472 Mexicans.
[2] The research was commissioned by Bumble with 1,018 respondents from Mexico aged 18-43 who are single and currently dating between May 15 - May 16, 2024.15.05.24 to 16.05.24.
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
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