The commodification of dating: how technology formed a relationship with single American adults

As a result of technological advances, romantic dating is increasingly becoming a commodity, where the promise of true love and marriage is bought and sold through online dating websites. This commodification allows single American adults to rely on a screening process in order to ensure the best investment is made. For my thesis, I analyze literature on risk and technology, dating and marriage selection customs over the last five centuries in addition to the popularity of online dating websites in order to answer the following questions: How do single American adults rely on online communication to make offline connections? Additionally, how do they mediate emerging risks associated with information technologies? I utilize theoretical perspectives of risk to examine the role of modernization, particularly information technology, to changes in dating practices over time. My analysis of online dating focuses on the key themes of initiation, marketability, intimacy, and accessibility.