“We are all born and raised into a nation, a community and a family. And what we learn to value in these cultural environments stays with us for life. Even if we leave our family, community and our nation we never fully leave their cultures behind”.
(Yahya R. Kamalipour)
In today’s society, the Internet and its possibilities have had an increasing influence in our daily life. The world is going online and it seems that how we choose to life our lives is more related to opportunities offered by the online world than to the cultural values we are born in and raised with.
We shop, socialize, connect, communicate, work and even find our partners online. – What role does our culture play in this context?
In this thesis the author will demonstrate that culture influences online dating and determining factors for finding a partner online.
Table of Contents
- 1 INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 STRUCTURE
- 1.1.1 DEMARCATION
- 1.1.2 PROCESS
- 2 CULTURAL FUNDAMENTALS
- 2.1 DEFINITION OF CULTURE
- 2.2 DIMENSIONS OF CULTURE
- 2.2.1 INDIVIDUALISM INDEX
- 2.3 CULTURAL INFLUENCE ON COMMUNICATION
- 2.4 CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE ON LOVE AND MARRIAGE
- 3 ONLINE DATING – AN OVERVIEW
- 3.1 DESCRIPTION/DESCRIPTION
- 3.2 TYPES OF ONLINE DATING
- 4 EMPIRICAL RESEARCH OF SELECTED ONLINE DATING MARKETS
- 4.1 METHODOLOGY
- 4.2 USA
- 4.2.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF AMERICAN CULTURE
- 4.2.2 DATING IN USA
- 4.2.3 EHARMONY
- 4.2.3.1 A profile on eharmony.com
- 4.2.3.2 Prices and Service
- 4.3 GERMANY
- 4.3.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF GERMAN CULTURE
- 4.3.2 DATING IN GERMANY
- 4.3.3 PARSHIP
- 4.3.3.1 A profile on parship.de
- 4.3.3.2 Prices and Service
- 4.4 INDIA
- 4.4.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIAN CULTURE
- 4.4.2 DATING IN INDIA
- 4.4.3 SHAADI
- 4.4.3.1 A profile on shaadi.com
- 4.4.3.2 Prices and Services
- 4.5 JAPAN
- 4.5.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JAPANESE CULTURE
- 4.5.2 DATING IN JAPAN
- 4.5.3 O-NET
- 4.5.3.1 A profile on onet.jp
- 4.5.3.2 Prices and Services
- 5 FINDINGS
- 5.1 SIMILARITIES
- 5.2 DIFFERENCES
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis aims to demonstrate the influence of culture on online dating and the factors determining partner selection in this context. The research compares online dating websites in the USA, Germany, India, and Japan to highlight cross-cultural differences and similarities.
- Cross-cultural comparison of online dating websites.
- Influence of cultural dimensions (individualism vs. collectivism) on online dating profiles.
- Cultural perspectives on love, marriage, and mate selection.
- Analysis of profile information required by different online dating platforms.
- Comparison of pricing models and services offered by the selected platforms.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the thesis by highlighting the increasing influence of the internet on daily life, particularly in the context of finding romantic partners. It establishes the central research question: how does culture influence online dating and the factors that contribute to successful online matchmaking? The chapter outlines the structure and scope of the thesis, including its limitations and the specific methodology used. It emphasizes the cross-cultural nature of the research and the deliberate selection of diverse countries – the USA, Germany, India, and Japan – to represent a wide range of cultural perspectives.
2 Cultural Fundamentals: This chapter provides a theoretical framework for understanding the role of culture in shaping online dating behavior. It begins with a definition of culture, exploring its various manifestations and layers, drawing on Hofstede's "onion" model. It then delves into Hofstede's cultural dimensions, focusing on the Individualism Index as the most relevant dimension for this study. The chapter also discusses the impact of culture on communication styles (high-context vs. low-context) and differing cultural perspectives on love and marriage, contrasting individualistic and collectivistic approaches to romantic relationships and mate selection. The chapter sets the foundation for the empirical analysis by outlining the key cultural variables that will be examined in relation to online dating practices.
3 Online Dating – an overview: This chapter provides a general overview of the online dating market. It defines online dating, describing the services offered by online dating websites and the different models they use. It examines the history and growth of the online dating industry, highlighting key factors such as technological advancements, demographic shifts, and social changes that have contributed to its popularity. The chapter also explores the different types of online dating platforms, distinguishing between search/sort/match systems and personality-matching systems, and discusses the various market segments that cater to diverse user needs and preferences. It establishes a context for understanding the specific online dating websites that will be analyzed in the empirical research chapters.
4 Empirical Research of Selected Online Dating Markets: This chapter details the methodology employed in the thesis and presents an empirical analysis of online dating practices in the USA, Germany, India, and Japan. It describes the desk research methods used, including accessing relevant databases and reviewing existing literature, trade journals, and credible internet sources. The chapter details the inclusion of expert interviews and the approach taken to address challenges in translating the Japanese website. Subsequent sections analyze specific online dating platforms (eHarmony in the USA, Parship in Germany, Shaadi in India, and O-net in Japan) and compare their profile requirements and services offered. Each country section begins with a brief overview of its relevant cultural characteristics to provide a context for understanding the online dating practices observed. This chapter forms the core of the thesis, providing detailed observations and comparisons of online dating profiles across cultures.
Keywords
Online dating, cross-cultural comparison, individualism, collectivism, culture, communication styles, love, marriage, mate selection, online profiles, personality-matching systems, eHarmony, Parship, Shaadi.com, O-net, USA, Germany, India, Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this thesis?
This thesis examines the influence of culture on online dating and the factors that determine partner selection in this context. It focuses on a cross-cultural comparison of online dating websites in the USA, Germany, India, and Japan.
What are the key objectives of this research?
The main objectives include a cross-cultural comparison of online dating websites; analyzing the influence of cultural dimensions (individualism vs. collectivism) on online dating profiles; exploring cultural perspectives on love, marriage, and mate selection; analyzing profile information required by different platforms; and comparing pricing models and services offered.
Which countries are included in the comparative analysis?
The research compares online dating websites and practices in the USA, Germany, India, and Japan.
What specific online dating platforms are analyzed?
The thesis analyzes eHarmony (USA), Parship (Germany), Shaadi.com (India), and O-net (Japan).
What cultural dimensions are considered?
The research primarily focuses on Hofstede's Individualism Index to understand how cultural dimensions influence online dating behavior.
What is the methodology used in this research?
The methodology includes desk research (reviewing existing literature, trade journals, and internet sources), expert interviews, and an analysis of the selected online dating platforms' profiles and services. The research also addresses challenges in translating the Japanese website.
How are the chapter summaries organized?
The chapter summaries provide an overview of each chapter, including the introduction (setting the research question and scope), cultural fundamentals (defining culture and exploring its dimensions), an overview of online dating, and a detailed empirical research chapter comparing the chosen online dating platforms across the four countries. The summaries also include a section on the findings.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
Key themes include the cross-cultural comparison of online dating websites, the influence of cultural dimensions on online dating profiles, cultural perspectives on love, marriage, and mate selection, analysis of profile information requirements, and a comparison of pricing and services offered by the selected platforms.
What are the key words associated with this research?
Key words include: Online dating, cross-cultural comparison, individualism, collectivism, culture, communication styles, love, marriage, mate selection, online profiles, personality-matching systems, eHarmony, Parship, Shaadi.com, O-net, USA, Germany, India, Japan.
What is the overall structure of the thesis?
The thesis follows a structured format with an introduction, a chapter on cultural fundamentals, an overview of online dating, an empirical research chapter analyzing the selected online dating platforms, and a concluding chapter presenting findings on similarities and differences.
- Quote paper
- Dana Lützow (Author), 2011, Online Dating – A cross-cultural comparison of matchmaking websites in the United States of America, Germany, India, and Japan, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/207098
