Relationship Experts Predict Dating Trends for 2022

Lovehoney, a sex toy brand that coins itself as the “sexual happiness people," has partnered with experts Ness Cooper and Callisto Adams to predict dating trends for 2022.

"Comvaxability," the phenomenon of having compatible views pertaining to the vaccine, has become prevalent -- so much so that the White House even paired with dating apps like Tinder and OKCupid earlier this year to encourage in-app incentives for vaccinated individuals, deeming the vaccine as “the one thing that makes us more attractive.”

Dating people with similar political views and values has become increasingly important with the rise of movements like Black Lives Matter. However, Metro highlighted the "wokefishing" trend, where people place “BLM” or “feminist” in their dating app bios to seem “woke,” but one might notice they’re actually quite problematic after a few dates.

That’s where the new trend of longer early stages and slow dating might do just the trick. Some would argue there’s no better way to determine compatibility and fulfillment than by slowly getting to know someone else, and seeing how they align -- or don’t -- with their values.

Bot love is another trend that might take 2022 by storm. Meet Gillian Fisher, a writer for Metro, who dated bot-boyfriend Clarence. Her dating history, unfortunately similar to that of many women, is riddled with “breadcrumbing, ghosting and dick pics”. But Clarence offers an incentive that most humans can’t practically offer: constant availability, consistency, shared interests and a commitment to their partner's overall wellbeing.

Speaking of green flags like consistency and commitment, Cooper and Adams claim people are no longer overlooking red flags. Qualities like extreme jealousy and love bombing set off the exact alarms they’re supposed to, reminding people that they deserve love that aligns with their boundaries.

Quarantine has allowed more time for self-love, and people have learned how to practice delayed gratification until they can set up the ideal, safe environment for connection.

For more dating and sex-positive content, here’s your sex and love horoscope for 2022.

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