The dating landscape is notoriously difficult, with women complaining that men often exhibit poor communication skills. Popular dating app Bumble conducts research on the dating pool and discovered men are embracing communication more than women may think.
Shan Boodram, Bumble’s sex and relationships expert, was excited to share the platform’s recent feedback on dating trends: “It is an extremely powerful and beautiful thing to lead with vulnerability in a relationship – something many still see as a weakness. I think it’s also very important that people have a clear definition of what vulnerability is in order to protect themselves and the other person. To be vulnerable is to divulge close, personal information. The close, personal part is important in identifying performative vulnerability, which is defined as information that seems sensitive but isn’t something truly close to the person’s heart. Vulnerability is taking a risk and choosing authenticity even when maintaining a shinier illusion is an option.”
“Recently, there’s been a growing realization, especially among Black men, that letting your guard down and bringing your true, authentic self to a relationship is not only the key to a healthier, more equitable relationship, but it is also a step in the right direction for achieving self-love,” Boodram revealed.
Bumble’s recent research (see stats below) revealed that Black men prioritize vulnerability and are actively working on achieving healthier relationships. Boodram believes the statistics should encourage women to be more optimistic when it comes to dating.
- More than one-third (39%) of Black men in the U.S. surveyed emphasized that being open and vulnerable is the most crucial aspect of a relationship.
- 31% of Black men surveyed in the U.S. reported making positive changes to their behavior in relationships within the last year.
- Over 1 in 3 (35%) Black men surveyed in the U.S. said that being more open and vulnerable with potential partners has improved their mental health.
- Nearly a third (31%) of Black men surveyed in the U.S. have become more vulnerable and open with the people they are dating over the past two years, surpassing the global average of 25%.
Boodram hopes that Bumble’s latest findings will begin to reverse the toxic masculinity narrative that has become talking points in reference to Black men and relationships. “The stats from Bumble mirror this cultural shift – Black men are actively changing their behavior to align with a more vulnerable and open-hearted approach because it’s proving to be a game-changer in both their mental health and their relationships,” Boodram shared.
